Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported that 1908 Ukrainian soldiers have laid down their arms so far at the site of the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol.
Shoigu made a statement on the situation in Ukraine during a meeting with senior officials of the ministry.
Noting that the Russian army has expanded its control in the Donbas region with separatist forces, Shoigu said that the so-called Lugansk People’s Republic is close to being “completely liberated from the Kiev forces.”
Argu argued that Ukrainian soldiers use civilians in cities as “human shields” by not leaving them, adding, “The Kiev regime, which has suffered defeat on the ground, is trying to achieve at least short-term successes in some areas and to show them as great successes.”
Providing information about the situation at the Azovstal Factory in Mariupol, which was besieged by the Russian army, Shoigu said, “Civilians held by Ukrainian nationalists have been evacuated from the factory site. 177 civilians were rescued, including 85 women and 47 children. All were given medical and psychological support. The nationalists in the factory began to surrender. So far, 1908 people have laid down their arms. Before that, I would like to remind you that 1387 Ukrainian sailors laid down their arms.”
Shoigu said that 1 million 377 thousand people have been evacuated to Russia so far from dangerous areas in Ukraine.
Stating that the military threat on Russia’s Western borders is growing, Shoigu said that the flights of the US and European strategic bombers have increased 15 times in the last 8 years. Shoigu noted that the guided missiles of US ships have also become systematic in the arrival and departure of the Baltic Sea.
At the same time, the United States and NATO have increased their combat preparations near the borders of Russia, Shoigu said, reminding that in addition to NATO’s military exercises, Finland and Sweden have also applied for NATO membership.
Sergei Shoigu concluded, “In this way, tensions are rising in the area of responsibility of the Western military region. We take appropriate countermeasures. In these conditions, we actively perfect the combat composition of the troops. By the end of the year, 12 new military units will be formed in the Western military district,” he concluded.
