Putin hails 'successful liberation' of Mariupol, but orders siege on steel plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the “successful liberation” of Mariupol and has ordered a siege instead of an assault on a steel plant in the city.

Four buses carrying evacuees from Mariupol have left the besieged and destroyed port city where Ukrainian forces are battling to retain control, according to a government statement on Thursday.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin on Thursday that the sprawling Azovstal Steel Plant, where Ukrainian forces were holed up was securely blocked and the rest of the city was liberated, which Putin hailed as a success.

Leaving the plant in Ukrainian hands, however, robs the Russians of the ability to declare complete victory in Mariupol. The city’s capture has both strategic and symbolic importance.

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“Four evacuation buses managed to leave the city yesterday through the humanitarian corridor,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Twitter, adding that evacuations of women, senior citizens and children would continue on Thursday.

“The security situation is difficult. Things may change,” the deputy PM added.

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The battle for Mariupol neared a tipping point after nearly two months of devastating fighting that has seen several civilians trapped and killed.

(With inputs from Agencies)