In Mariupol, a strategic point in eastern Ukraine, which is a fierce battlefield, the deadline for surrender that the invading Russian troops demanded from Ukrainian troops has passed.
The Russian side is poised to intensify its offensive, saying that the request has been ignored, and there are concerns that civilian casualties will increase further.
The Russian army continues to fight fiercely with Ukrainian troops for full control of Mariupol, and on the 17th, it called on the troops to "guarantee their lives if they put their weapons" on the 17th of Japan time. I urged him to disarm and surrender by 7 pm.
In response, Maxim Zorin, commander of the Ukrainian paramilitary organization Azov Battalion, which defends Mariupol, said in an interview with NHK on the 17th, "The Russian army has gathered more than 14,000 soldiers and Mariupol. "We control more than 50% of the war," he said, admitting that he was inferior, but "we will continue to fight and never surrender."
He then revealed that he was sending troops located near the capital Kyiv to Mariupol for support.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov said that the Ukrainian side also includes soldiers like foreigners, and warned that "if we continue to resist further, we will annihilate it."
As the requested surrender deadline passed, the local Russian captain said, "Our proposal was ignored," and the state-run Russian news agency said it was poised to intensify the offensive.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Bereshchuk posted on SNS on the 17th that Mariupol "has repeatedly requested the Russian side to establish a route to evacuate citizens, especially women and children," and many residents are still inhabited. It seems that they are left behind in the city, and there is concern that the fighting will intensify and the casualties of the citizens will increase further.