Dramatic First Footage from the Captured Illich Metallurgical Plant

SouthFront: The mop up operations in the city of Mariupol continue. On April 15, the joint Russian and DPR troops claimed another victory. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that Russian and DPR troops took control over the Illich Iron and Steel Plant in the city of Mariupol. It was one of the main hotspots of resistance of the AFU in the city.

The Illich plant was mainly defended by the 36th AFU Marine Brigade. Days before, large groups of the Ukrainian marines surrendered to DPR forces.

Contrary to the statements of the Kiev authorities, most of the Ukrainian military are ready to surrender. While Kiev threatens Ukrainian servicemen that cruel Russian soldiers allegedly torture Ukrainian prisoners of war, forces of the DPR and Russia have demonstrated that nothing threatens Ukrainian servicemen in captivity, and they are provided with all the necessary assistance.

Having seen the attitude of the Russian forces to the hundreds of surrendered prisoners, many Ukrainian soldiers in the besieged city do not want to continue senseless resistance.

However, they are stopped from laying down their arms by the threats from commanders and fighters of nationalist formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After the AFU soldiers began to surrender in large groups, reports were received that the commanders of the nationalist Azov formation, deployed their fighters in other AFU units in the besieged city in order to prevent them from surrender.

Military sources of the DPR release videos showing battles on the territory of the Illich plant as well as the surrender of the AFU servicemen.

More photos from the captured Illich plant confirm that Ukrainian soldiers put Russian signs on their military equipment, likely preparing for escape from the besieged facilities. At least one truck of the Ukrainian military with the letter Z is seen on the photos.

The footage confirms that some people were tortured at the Illich factory. It is unclear who were the victims: Ukrainian soldiers willing to surrender, Russian soldiers taken hostage, or civilians.

While the Illich plant is under the control of Russian and DPR forces, they are yet to secure the nearby areas in the Kalmius district in Mariupol.

Meanwhile, local residents are taking to the streets, looking for their relatives among the bodies of civilians killed in the area.

According to Russian sources from the spot, the Russian military managed to evacuate about 200 civilians from the territory of the Illich plant. Ukrainian soldiers lured civilians, promising safety, but held them hostage.

Situation in other district of Mariupol remains tense. After DPR and Russian troops took control over the seaport, the mop up operation aimed to secure the area continues.

On April 16, a group of about 200 Ukrainian militants on armored vehicles reportedly attempted to break through from the Primorsky district towards the Azovstal plant located in the Left-Bank district. The attempt was thwarted by the forces of the DPR and Russia, as a result, the Ukrainian column was almost completely destroyed.

In the Left-Bank district, artillery and airstrikes are being carried out on the workshops of the Azovstal, the last major node of organized Ukrainian resistance.

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