The Russian army said on Tuesday (5) that it shot down two Ukrainian helicopters trying to raise their heads, a nationalist battalion participating in the defense of the besieged port of Mariupol (southeast).

“This morning, near Mariupol, a new attempt by the Kyiv government to evacuate the leaders of the nationalist Azov battalion was canceled. Two Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters were shot down trying to reach the city from the sea. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said with portable anti-aircraft systems.”

The spokesperson said Moscow offered the Ukrainian fighters on Tuesday to lay down their arms and leave the city to Kiev-held territory “by an agreed route”.

But the Ukrainian military “ignored” this proposal. “Mariupol will get rid of the nationalists, as Kyiv is not interested in saving the lives of its soldiers,” Konashenkov said. said.

Last week, the same official claimed that the Russian army shot down a Ukrainian helicopter to evacuate the commanders of the Azov battalion, which had been defending Mariupol for weeks.