Putin Hails Liberation of Ukraine Mariupol, Calls Off Operation to Storm Steel Plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called off an operation to storm the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol, where over 2,000 Ukrainian militants remain entrenched, according to the Russian military.

At a meeting with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the head of state demanded that the plant be blocked so that “even a fly can’t get in or out,” and another offer to surrender be made to those holed up at the facility.