Russia persuades to surrender again! Why this steel plant is the eye of the conflict

　　China News Service, April 20,

　　Author Zhang Naiyue

　　"In view of the tragic situation at the Azov Steel Plant in Mariupol, and proceeding from purely humanitarian principles, the Russian army once again proposes that nationalist militants and foreign mercenaries stop all fighting and lay down their weapons from 12:00 Moscow time on April 19. "

　　This is the second time that Russia has issued a signal to persuade Ukrainian armed personnel to surrender since the Azov steel plant was surrounded.

Two days later, the conflict over control of the Azov steel plant in Mariupol continues.

There's bound to be an uphill battle here for the foreseeable future.

　　The importance of the strategic position, the ups and downs of the morale of the army... The future trend of the situation in Russia and Ukraine seems to be condensed in this steel plant.

Mariupol on April 18.

Smoke is rising from the Azov steel plant in the background.

Mariupol: Russia-Ukraine situation 'eye of the storm'

　　Russia is in its eighth week of launching a special military operation against Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said in an interview with the media on the 19th that the military operation against Ukraine has entered the second stage.

　　What actions will the Russian army take in the second phase?

According to the news released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, as of March 25, the Russian army has completed the first phase of the main task - greatly reducing the combat capability of Ukraine. After that, the Russian army will focus on achieving the main goal in the Donbas region.

　　Recently, Russian troops are gradually moving to eastern Ukraine. At the same time, Ukrainian troops have also begun to assemble in the direction of Donbass. Both sides are ready to fight a decisive decisive battle in eastern Ukraine.

　　The decisive battle "Eye of the Storm" focuses on the eastern city of Mariupol.

　　This city with a population of 400,000 is an important port and transportation route on the coast of the Azov Sea in Ukraine.

Once occupied, the Russian army will be able to open the land corridor between Crimea and Donbass, which will greatly facilitate the deployment of troops.

The large number of troops freed up will be able to accelerate special military operations in the Donbas region.

　　Economically, the Azov region's largest port city is a major export hub for Ukraine's steel, coal and corn, destined for the Middle East and beyond.

The BBC believes that control of Mariupol will enable Russia to control more than 80% of Ukraine's Black Sea coastline, cutting off its maritime trade and thus isolating it from the world.

　　According to BBC analysis, if the Russian army captures Mariupol, it will be able to show the people the progress of the special military operation.

For Ukraine, losing Mariupol would be a serious blow to military morale.

　　The result of the two sides competing for Mariupol will have an important impact on the entire Russian-Ukrainian conflict situation.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an exclusive interview with CNN, the Ukrainian army is preparing to fight the Russian army in the eastern region, and this battle may affect the whole situation.

Azov Steel: Why it's so easy to defend

　　As early as a few days ago, the Russian side has claimed control of all the urban areas of Mariupol except the Azov Steel Plant.

Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense, said that the remaining Ukrainian forces and mercenaries were blocked in the Azov steel plant.

　　On the 16th, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that for humanitarian reasons, all Ukrainian troops and mercenaries in the Azov Steel Plant who are willing to surrender their weapons can be guaranteed safety.

But the deadline has passed, and there are still Ukrainian militants who have not handed over their weapons.

　　On the 19th, the Russian side once again persuaded to surrender - proposing that the Ukrainian army and foreign mercenaries at the Azov Steel Plant cease hostilities and lay down their weapons.

　　In fact, occupying the Azov Steel Plant is not an easy task for the Russian army.

Mariupol on April 18.

Smoke is rising from the Azov steel plant in the background.

　　Russia's "Izvestia" introduced that the Azov Steel Plant was built in the Soviet period, and its internal topography is complex, up to six stories deep, and its area is comparable to a city.

It was designed to include the possibility of being bombed and blocked, and some of the structures were even built to resist nuclear strikes.

　　At present, this intricate steel factory has become a fortification of Ukrainian military forces.

　　The factory is guarded by thousands and has a full arsenal of weapons and armored convoys.

In addition to the Ukrainian armed forces, as many as 400 foreign mercenaries were besieged inside the steel plant.

　　The BBC quoted military experts as saying that Ukrainian fighters left behind at the Azov steel plant may use nuclear bunkers, tunnels and guerrilla tactics to hold their positions for a long time.

　　At present, Russia has launched more than 300 missiles and artillery strikes on the Donbas region.

Ukrainian officials said the Russian ground attack stretched nearly the entire front, from the Kharkiv region in the north all the way to the port of Mariupol in the southeast.

　　Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba called Mariupol a "red line" for negotiations.

Zelensky even warned that if Russia eliminated the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol, peace talks would not continue.

　　However, the Russian side expressed its determination to capture the place.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov told the media that the progress of the negotiation process between the two sides was "not ideal" and that Russia's special military operation would proceed as planned.

Russian analysts believe that if the talks fail to make significant progress, the parties will have to go through at least one round of escalation and then return to the negotiating table again, and these conflicts - "mainly in the Donbas region".