Putin ordered to cancel the storming of Azovstal in order to "save the lives of Russian soldiers"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that the storming of the Azovstal metallurgical plant be stopped because he considers it "inexpedient".

This was reported by RIA Novosti.

During a meeting with Putin, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported that Mariupol had allegedly been liberated from the nationalist Azov (at the same time the regiment's fighters announced the destruction of several enemy vehicles) and that some 2,000 people were securely locked inside the plant. Shoigu said it would take 3-4 days to storm the industrial zone, however, Putin refused.

"I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone impractical. I order to cancel it. This is a case where we must think, that is, we must always think, but in this case all the more about preserving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers. We should not go into these catacombs and crawl underground at these industrial facilities," said Vladimir Putin.

But despite this, Putin ordered to block Azovstal so that "not even a fly would fly there."

As a reminder, the total combat losses of the Russian Federation as a result of the invasion of Ukraine in personnel are about 21,000 people. This was reported by the General Staff of the AFU.