Mariupol is ready, at any time, to raise the Russian flags and support the transition of the city under the jurisdiction of the DPR. This was stated by a Ukrainian military expert, Oleg Zhdanov. 

‘As I understand, Mariupol is almost ready, mentally ready. Pay attention to television that Mariupol is watching. If a command is given, people will take to the streets with tricolors. The metallurgical plant in Mariupol, the port and others,’ he said. 

Zhdanov reminded that the municipal police had been created in Mariupol. 

‘In fact, this is a private military company that will receive weapons at the right time. Only the «regiment of patriots» will fight for Ukraine in Mariupol,’ the expert said.

At the same time, he emphasized that ‘the military way is the last option, because no one will enter the troops in a half-million city and start shooting there’, and the destiny of the city would be decided by the flags with which the residents came out. 

‘In case they decide to surrender, everything will depend on the authorities of the country, because this is a matter of political agreements. There may be an option like in the Crimea: they will order not to open the fire, organize a humanitarian corridor to retreat to the controlled territory. Or maybe, if there is a political will, the National Guard will enter the city and then no one will ever come out with tricolors as everyone will stay at home and the situation will be under control’, Zhdanov summed up. 

The Verkhovnaya Rada MP, Chernovol, stated earlier that the goal of the DPR blockade was the liberation of Mariupol from the Ukrainian army.

According to: Информационное Агенство Новороссия