Def Min Shoigu Tells Putin: Mariupol Under Russian Control

In televised comments, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has informed President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces have captured the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, with the exception of the Azovstal industrial plant.

• Shoigu states that the Azovstal plant is 'severely blockaded', with over 2k Ukrainian fighters still inside. Just under 1.5k Ukrainian fighters have surrendered according to Shoigu.
• Putin tells Shoigu: "Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape,"
• The capture of Mariupol could prove crucial for Putin's strategic aims in his invasion of Ukraine. Holding the city of Mariupol is an essential part of establishing a 'land bridge' between the breakaway 'republics' in the Donbas (currently under Russian assault) and the occupied Crimea.
• With Putin's 'Plan A' of invading Ukraine on a broad front and ousting the Zelenskyy gov't in Kyiv apparently having failed, the 'Plan B' at present seems to be a concerted attack on the Donbas. The region holds a large section of the Ukrainian armed forces, but if Russia can establish full control of the region, as well as a land bridge to Crimea, it may be seen as the starting point for ceasefire talks with Ukraine.