As the battle between the Russian and the Ukrainian forces intensifies in the coastal city of Mariupol in south eastern Ukraine, Kiev claimed that it has given another serious blow to Moscow by eliminating the Deputy Commander of its Black Sea Fleet.
Yekaterina Altabayeva, the Senator from Sevastopol, confirmed that Captain First Rank Andrey Nikolaevich died in the battle
"Sevastopol suffered a heavy, irreparable loss," Altabaeva wrote in her Telegram channel, saying that she personally knew the officer.
"Andrey Nikolaevich loved Sevastopol with all his heart. His whole life was devoted to the hero city. He was loved and respected by his subordinates… I bring to relatives and friends sincere condolences. It is painful and bitter to lose such people. Blessed memory to a real Officer," the senator was quoted as saying by Russian state-owned domestic news agency RIA Novosti.
Nikolaevich is another big casualty for the Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
Last week, the Ukrainian media had said that Major General Oleg Mityaev, Commander of the 150th motorized rifle division, was killed during the fighting near Mariupol.
Meanwhile, according to reports, Ukraine today rejected Russia's calls to surrender Mariupol. Moscow had told the Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms in exchange for a safe exit from the city and the opening of humanitarian corridors from 10 AM Moscow time Monday.
“There can be no question of any surrender, laying down of arms,” Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian media.
Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defence Control Center, had said that a catastrophic humanitarian situation and terror has developed in Mariupol.
"Every day from 80 to 235 local residents die at their (terrorists) hands in the city. The militants are killing innocent people who are trying to escape from the city. Now the Nazis are hostage to 130 thousand citizens," he said.
