Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have seized Mariupol, a key point in eastern Ukraine, but the Ukrainian side has denied this and is poised to continue resistance.
The Russian side is expected to rush to expand its territory by injecting force into the eastern part other than Mariupol's, and it is expected that fierce offense and defense will continue in the eastern part.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received a report from Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in the Kremlin on the war situation of Mariupol, a key point in the east, saying that "the battle to release Mariupol was completed and succeeded" and claimed to have seized Mariupol. bottom.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu explained that there are still more than 2,000 Ukrainian troops left at the steelworks in Mariupol, while President Putin said, "I don't think any further attacks are appropriate." He instructed him to stop the attack on the steelworks.
He then said, "Please block the area to prevent one fly from passing through," and ordered the siege of the industrial zone, where the steelworks are located, to continue.
Russia has urged Ukrainian troops remaining in the steelworks to disarm and surrender, but the Ukrainian side is still ready to fight.
President Putin also told Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that "we must also consider protecting the lives of our soldiers," and while the Ukrainian side continued to resist, Russia declared Mariupol's "grasp". It is expected that Russian troops will be put into the eastern part other than Mariupol to accelerate the expansion of the territory.
In particular, Putin is said to have a desire to emphasize domestically as a result of the war toward "Victory Day" on the 9th of next month when the former Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany in World War II.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference on the 21st, "I know that most of the city is in control, but some of our troops still remain," the Ukrainian side resisted. Insisted that he continued.
He then called for the need to evacuate the citizens, saying that "nearly 120,000 citizens are believed to be left behind in the city."
The mayor of Mariupol's adviser also commented on SNS on the 21st, "There is only Putin's desire to somehow report an unlikely victory."
The Ukrainian side has denied President Putin's allegation that he has taken control of Mariupol and has shown a willingness to resist, and fierce offense and defense are expected to continue in the east.