War in Ukraine: Putin claims victory in Mariupol declaring port city 'liberated'

"There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities," Putin said.  "Block off this industrial area so that a fly cannot pass through."

Russian military vehicles move on a highway in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces near Mariupol, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022. Picture: AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov

President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the biggest battle of the Ukraine war on Thursday, declaring the port of Mariupol "liberated" after nearly two months of siege, despite leaving hundreds of defenders still holed up inside a giant steel works.

Ukraine said Putin's attempt to avoid a final clash with its forces in the city was an acknowledgment that he lacked the forces to defeat them.