UPDATE
See next Pundita post for information about the logistics worked out for the surrenders:
END UPDATE
"Considering the catastrophic situation that has developed at the Azovstal metallurgical plant, and being guided by purely humane principles, the Russian Armed Forces propose that militants of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries stop all hostilities and lay down arms starting from 06:00 Moscow time [03:00 GMT] on April 17, 2022," Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center, said
According to Mizintsev, the nationalists and mercenaries at Azovstal are "persistently demanding permission from the authorities in Kiev to lay down their arms and surrender. At the same time, representatives of the Ukrainian authorities categorically forbid doing this and are threatening [them] with subsequent executions.".
Yes, the fighters would know about the ultimatum, which was issued at least as early as 5 hours ago, when Sputnik published it. The Russians have been dropping leaflets and probably using additional means to communicate with the fighters holed up at the factory. A British fighter at Azovstal surrendered after reading a leaflet assuring that those who surrendered would be treated well.
The Russians have been treating those who surrender very well, treating them with respect, providing excellent medical care and nourishing food. The same with the Donbass militias.
A photo of one surrendered fighter, serving in the Ukrainian military, I think, just about broke my heart. He was so young and starved to the point he looked skeletal. He was on a stretcher being given medical care including oxygen and was recovered enough to speak to the camera. I saw his photo at Intel Slava Z – Telegram .
Technically prisoners of war aren't supposed to have their images broadcast but in this case the Russians have been reaching out in every way possible to the fighters, especially the legitimate military ones, in hopes they will decide to live by surrendering.
I know from the Syrian situation that those who fought honorably will be treated with more than fairness when their cases are reviewed by the Russian captors. In fact, many of those POWs will be returned to their homes after signing an agreement not to return to fighting the Russians.
But this offer is the last chance for the fighters in Azovstal -- and from what I know of them, many if not most of those particular fighters don't even deserve a last chance. But that's the Russians for you; just keep trying to get the message across, as they did in Syria. And Chechnya. The Russians have faith that for those with some common sense, common sense will eventually prevail.
But right now, for those fighters in the steel factory, it's down to prayer.
See also:
Russia offers Ukrainian stronghold chance to surrender — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union -
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