Putin orders to cancel assault on Azovstal in Mariupol

At a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the assault on the Azovstal industrial zone in Mariupol inappropriate and ordered to cancel it, Report informs citing TASS.

The President explained the cancellation of the assault on Azovstal by the considerations of saving the lives of the Russian military.

"This is the case when we must think - that is, we must always think, but even more so in this case - about preserving the life and health of our soldiers and officers. There is no need to enter these catacombs and crawl underground along these industrial facilities," the head of state said.

He ordered to lock off this industrial zone 'airtight' instead.

"Russia guarantees life and decent treatment for the Ukrainian military who will leave Azovstal," Putin said.