Russia's leader has ordered troops to seal the Azovstal steelworks "so a fly cannot pass through". -AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to cancel plans to storm the Azovstal plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, instead calling for its blockade to continue.
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Putin gave the order to Sergei Shoigu, his defence minister, who had previously told the president more than 2000 Ukrainian fighters were still holed up in the vast plant, which includes a large underground area.
"I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone unnecessary," Putin told Shoigu in a televised meeting at the Kremlin. "I order you to cancel it."
Putin said his decision not to storm the steel plant was motivated by a desire to safeguard the lives of Russian soldiers.
"There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities," he said.Â
"Block off this industrial area so that a fly cannot pass through."
Putin also called on the remaining Ukrainian fighters in Azovstal who had not yet surrendered, saying Russia would treat them with respect and would provide medical assistance to those injured.
