Ukrainian POW Shares His Experience Of Serving In Ukrainian Army
South Front, Mar 19 2023
Russian sources shared interview with a young Ukrainian soldier who was forcibly mobilized into the National Guard and thrown into the Bakhmut grinder. He tells how foreign mercenaries treat Ukrainian soldiers; who is responsible for killing of retreating soldiers; why the Ukrainian command supports the use of drugs on the front lines; and other important details of his experience in the Ukrainian army.
Russian President Putin Pays Surprise Visit To Mariupol City
South Front, Mar 19 2023
https://ok.ru/video/4825935120934
https://ok.ru/video/4825962449446
https://ok.ru/video/4826186320422
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On Mar 19, President Putin paid an unannounced working visit to Mariupol to inspect a number of locations in the city and talk to local residents. The president arrived in Mariupol by helicopter, accompanied by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. The surprise visit marked the first time Putin has been to the Donbass region, since it de facto broke away from Ukraine nine years ago. According to the Kremlin press service, Putin drove a vehicle along Mariupol streets and made stops at several locations to speak with the city’s residents. The president inspected the progress of restoration efforts, including the construction of “new residential districts, social and educational facilities, housing and communal services infrastructure, medical institutions.” He also toured the “coastline in the area of the yacht club, theater,” as well as other “memorable places” in the city. Putin also received a detailed report about the progress of ongoing reconstruction work in the city and its outskirts from Khusnullin. The Kremlin press service said:
In particular, the report concerned the construction of new residential districts, social and educational facilities, utility infrastructure and medical centers.
Mariupol was liberated by Russian forces last May in the framework of the military operation in Ukraine. The city joined the Russian Federation as part of the DPR after a referendum that was held in September. Khusnullin informed Putin that Mariupol residents that left Mariupol earlier due to fighting, have been actively returning to the city. The deputy prime minister said:
People have started actively returning, with growth of the population registered, and jobs are being created in the city.
Commenting on a story by Khusnullin on how Kiev forces booby-trapped medical equipment in Mariupol hospital before withdrawing, Putin said:
That’s not the way normal people behave.
The Russian victory in Mariupol was a major blow to the Kiev regime, as it landed Moscow a land bridge to the Crimean Peninsula and denied Ukraine any access to the Sea of Azov. The battle also marked a humiliating defeat to the Ukrainian nationalist Azov Brigade, which is designated by Russia as a terrorist group. Putin’s visit to Mariupol stresses Russia’s commitment to rebuilding and defending the strategic city. The visit came as Kiev forces are preparing a large-scale offensive next spring with support from the United States and other NATO members. Mariupol and several other cities in Donetsk and the nearby Zaporozhye region are said to be the main targets of the planned offensive.
Niqnaq 