Russian Defense Ministry Hopeful That Turkey Will Influence Mariupol Militants

The Russian side is hopeful that Turkey will influence the commanders of the Ukrainian armed formations remaining in Mariupol to surrender their weapons, Russian General-Major Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the National Defense Control Center, said on Monday. This was reported by RIA Novosti.

Ukrainian military personnel, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries established in Mariupol are being invited to surrender, with those laying down their arms promised the chance to save their lives. For this purpose, the Russian side has proposed to carry out a special humanitarian operation on Tuesday, Mizintsev stated.

“We hope that our Turkish partners, using their authority, will be able to influence both the representatives of the Kyiv authorities and directly the commanders of the troops by all possible means,” he said.