PUTIN DECLARES VICTORY IN MARIUPOL, CANCELS PLANS TO STORM STEEL PLANT

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the battle for Mariupol on Thursday and canceled plans to storm the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in a sprawling steel plant.

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Putin called the military effort to liberate Mariupol a "success" and urged Ukrainian troops holed up in the Azovstal plant to surrender, promising "decent treatment" for all and medical attention to the wounded. He ordered Russian troops to blockade the plant.

 "There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities," Putin said. "Block off this industrial area so that the fly does not fly through."

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