Ukraine war: Russia demands surrender of remaining troops in Mariupol amid ‘catastrophic situation’

Russia has demanded the surrender of the last remaining Ukrainian troops in Mariupol, with the city on the brink of falling.

Moscow claimed it would spare the lives of the troops holding out in a blockaded steelworks plant – but only if they surrendered by 11 am GMT.

Earlier, Russia said it had cleared the urban area of Mariupol, a claim that could not be independently verified.

If it falls, Mariupol would be the first major city taken by Russia.

Under the terms of the surrender deal proposed by Moscow, Ukrainian fighters have a window from 4 am GMT to 11 am GMT to leave the Azovstal plant without weapons or ammunition.

The start of the surrender would be indicated by raising flags, Russia’s defense ministry said.

Moscow said the terms of the proposed surrender deal were “guided by purely humane principles” due to a “catastrophic situation that has developed”.

Ukrainian fighters had earlier held out in underground tunnels and bunkers at another steel plant in the city, but Russia claims it captured the site on Friday.

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