The occupiers forcibly put white bandages on the inhabitants of Mariupol so that they are confused with the military invaders.
This was reported by the press center of the Azov Regiment.
"The occupiers put white bandages on the residents of Mariupol so that Ukrainian defenders confuse them with Russians! According to locals, the Russians mislead civilians while tying them with white armbands by saying they are a distinctive feature of the civilian population. We emphasize!!! The Russians identify their own Putin's army by white bandages, thus hiding behind civilians and exposing them to additional danger," the statement said.
The Ukrainian leadership is working to liberate Mariupol, using all possible international mechanisms, Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to the chief of president’s office, said.
On the morning of 19 March, soldiers of the Azov Regiment carried out a special operation and inflicted significant losses on the enemy in Mariupol.
Meanwhile, the Russian occupiers destroyed the Azovstal metallurgical plant, Mariupol Deputy Mayor Serhiy Orlov said.