Putin Declares Mariupol 'Liberated' - Orders Besieged Steel Plant Sealed Off

Weeks ago Russian forces had already captured and besieged much of the southeast Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which began a process of the majority of civilians emptying out - though there could still be tens of thousands remaining. Within the past days an estimated couple thousand Azov fighters have been surrounded and holed up at the large, cavernous Azovstal steel plant, reportedly including some civilians, resulting in a standoff situation where those inside are fast running out of supplies.

Previously it was thought that Russian troops were preparing to storm the sprawling complex, but instead on Thursday President Vladimir Putin indicated to his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that this course of action must be scrapped and instead the plant should be completely sealed off.

Putin further declared Mariupol, which prior to the invasion had a population of about 450,000, is now "liberated" - and congratulated the defense chief on the military "success" - at a moment Russia has launched a broader major offensive to take the whole of Donbas.

The Russian leader gave the words in response to Shoigu's own briefing to his commander-in-chief, which was aired on state TV: 

"Mariupol has been liberated," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin in a televised meeting. "The remaining nationalist formations took refuge in the industrial zone of the Azovstal plant." 

As for the plant, Putin said it should be sealed off with those inside "so that not even a fly can escape"...

“We should always think, in this case especially, about saving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers. There is no need to climb into these catacombs,” Putin said. 

"Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape," he continued.

Those trapped in the plant will be offered a chance to surrender, and they can keep their lives and receive a "dignified treatment," Putin said.