Vladimir Putin banned the assault on the Azovstal plant in Mariupol

"I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone inappropriate, I order to cancel it. This is the case when we must think, that is, we must always think, and in this case even more so, about saving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers", - the head of state said at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The President pointed out that "there is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground along these industrial facilities". All Ukrainian soldiers who have settled on the territory of the plant will be guaranteed life upon surrender.

It should be noted that Shoigu called Mariupol the capital of the radical nationalist group "Azov" (against which criminal cases have been initiated in Russia). He noted that the city itself had been liberated, but there were still militants at the plant. They created a powerful fortified area in Mariupol and deployed heavy weapons. In total, according to the minister, about two thousand Ukrainian security officials are blocked at the plant.