The leader of separatist Donetsk from Ukraine, which declared itself a republic independent of Russia, Denis Pushilin said that he did not rule out hiding a number of Ukrainian militants inside the Azovstal plant in the city of Mariupol after the last group of Ukrainian troops stationed there surrendered to the Russian army.

He pointed out that “they had enough food and water and, of course, ammunition”, noting that “the problem that they have faced in recent days is clearly related to medicines. There weren’t enough of them, and if someone decided to stay at the plant, we don’t rule it out.”

He emphasized that “every nook and cranny is carefully checked. If someone is there, he will be installed. I have no doubt about that.”

Yesterday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin of the end of the operation to seize the Azovstal plant and the Ukrainian city of Mariupol from Ukrainian nationalists.