Ukrayinska Pravda: Russian army breach defences at Mariupol steelworks

The Russian combatants have penetrated the defences at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, according to Ukrayinska Pravda. The outlet's sources report that there is combat in the area right now, and no radio connection with the Ukrainian soldiers inside the steelworks can be established.

Vadym Boychenko, Mariupol’s mayor, previously reported that the combat at the Azovstal steelworks had been resumed. “Our brave lads are defending this fortress but it is a tough thing to do: the whole area is being shelled by the aircraft, tanks and heavies. Some warships also arrived at the city’s port and are shelling the plant,” he said.

Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, stated that the Russian army was not assaulting the steelworks. “What they are doing is suppressing the guerilla’s attempts to take up positions,” he claimed.

The Russian army and the militia of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic started an assault at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol yesterday, according to RIA Novosti.

The agency’s reporter stated that there was gunfire in the area and plumes of smoke were visible. Russia’s Defence Ministry accused the Ukrainian Army of ceasefire violation.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Defence Minister, reported capturing Mariupol yet again today. He did it on 21 April for the first time as he reported to President Putin. Putin, in his turn, commanded to cancel the offensive of the Azovstal steel plant deeming it ‘impractical’.