SF note: We publish the translation of the Russian Federation’s statement as close as possible to the Russian original, seeking to keep the style of the initial text. The statement itself is, of course, of historical interest. However, its substance once again raises more questions than answers for the independent observer.
During April 16, 2022, there was a sharp increase in the intensity of radio communications between militants of nationalist formations and foreign mercenaries blocked in Mariupol at Azovstal Plant.
The content of the radio intercepts (367 were received in the past 24 hours alone) shows that the resisting militants are in a desperate situation, practically without food and water. They are persistently demanding permission from the official authorities in Kiev to lay down arms and surrender. At the same time, representatives of the Ukrainian authorities categorically forbid this and threaten with subsequent shootings under “wartime” conditions.
In accordance with persistent humanitarian initiatives by France, Germany and Turkey, as well as exclusively for humane purposes, the Russian Armed Forces have repeatedly offered the fighters to lay down their weapons and withdraw from Mariupol to territories under the control of the Kiev authorities.
For this purpose, since 21 March 2022, a humanitarian corridor was opened daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and since 5 April 2022, such corridors have also been opened daily, but around the clock.
The Russian side opened humanitarian corridors on a daily basis and ensured all requirements to observe the “silence regime” in the Mariupol direction.
The Ukrainian side had never confirmed any guarantees of the safety of these humanitarian routes, and on the contrary, deliberately obstructed the implementation of these initiatives.
Representatives of foreign embassies, specialized structures of the United Nations, the OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations were duly informed about the planned humanitarian operations through all available information resources, including the media.
None of these organizations, with the exception of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has ever responded to our insistent appeals to open humanitarian corridors for the fighters to leave.
Thanks to the measures taken by the Russian Federation, without the participation of the Ukrainian side and international organizations, it was possible to evacuate from Mariupol over 168 thousand civilians (139,678 of them to the Russian Federation), including 237 representatives of foreign countries.
In addition, 1,464 Ukrainian servicemen laid down their arms and surrendered. No violence or psychological pressure is applied to them. Everyone is given the opportunity to contact relatives. Wounded prisoners of war are provided with timely and qualified medical assistance.
Taking into account the catastrophic situation at the Azovstal Plant and also guided by purely humane principles, the Russian Armed Forces suggest that the militants of the nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries stop any hostilities and lay down their arms from 06:00 (Moscow time) on 17 April 2022. All those who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive.
For the practical realization of this humanitarian operation, the following algorithm of action is provided for:
From 05:00 (Moscow time) continuous communication is established between the Russian and Ukrainian sides for mutual exchange of information;
From 05:30 (Moscow time), fighters of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries, on the one hand, and the Russian Armed Forces, together with the military formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic, on the other hand, declare a “total silence regime” and guarantee its strict observance;
The actual start of the “silence regime” at 06:00 (Moscow time) is indicated by both sides raising flags: red on the Russian side and white on the Ukrainian side along the entire perimeter of Azovstal. In addition, the fact that the parties are ready to introduce a “silence regime” is confirmed through all channels of communication;
from 06:00 to 13:00 (Moscow time) – the withdrawal of all Ukrainian armed units and foreign mercenaries, without any weapons or ammunition.
Once again, we call on the official authorities in Kyiv to show discretion and issue the appropriate instructions to the militants to end the pointless resistance and withdraw from the hotbed of resistance. Realizing, however, that they will receive no such orders or commands from the authorities in Kyiv, we urge them to take this decision themselves and lay down their weapons.
We appeal to all members of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries – with the cynical attitude of the Kyiv authorities, such an unenviable fate awaits all of you. With this in mind, do not test your fate like the Mariupol tragedy, but make the only right decision to stop the hostilities and lay down your arms now, no matter where your “handlers” force you to fight for the ideas of Nazism. In doing so, the Russian Federation guarantees each of you the preservation of your lives and the observance of all norms of the Geneva Convention for the treatment of prisoners of war, as has already happened to your comrades who previously surrendered in Mariupol.
This urgent statement is to be published immediately and communicated to the United Nations, the OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations through all available information resources, including the media.
In addition, this urgent statement will be broadcast continuously throughout the night to Ukrainian formations at Azovstal on all radio channels at intervals of every 30 minutes.
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