Russia issued a new ultimatum for the defenders of the besieged port city of Mariupol to give up their struggle on Tuesday, calling for Ukrainian soldiers to “immediately” lay down arms.
The warning came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Monday that Moscow had launched a new operation aimed at Ukraine’s east.
“We once again call on the Kyiv authorities to show reason and give the corresponding orders to fighters to cease their senseless resistance.
“But, understanding that they will not get such instructions and orders from the Kyiv authorities, we call on (the fighters) to voluntarily take this decision and to lay down their arms,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
There was no indication of a fresh ground offensive in eastern Ukraine in the statement.
However, it stated that Moscow possessed “real-time proof of horrendous new atrocities being prepared by the Kyiv authorities.”
Ukrainian fighters defending Mariupol, a port on the Sea of Azov, were in a “catastrophic situation,” according to the defense ministry.
“The Russian armed forces once again offer the nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries a chance to stop all military activity and to lay down their arms, starting at noon.
“Everyone who lays down their arms will be guaranteed survival,” he said.
