INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A federal lawmaker from the republic of Chechnya said Russian troops have successfully "destroyed" the besieged Ukrainian port city of
Mariupol, according to video posted by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov late Thursday.Adam Delimkhanov made the statement wearing combat
uniform alongside dozens of Chechen troops in front of the burning remains of what he said was an administrative building belonging to the
operation to destroy and clear Mariupol has been completed today," Delimkhanov said in the video
"President Vladimir Putin's orders have been fulfilled."It was not immediately clear whether Delimkhanov, who is a member of the Russian
lower house of parliament, the State Duma, intended to state that Putin and Kadyrov ordered the destruction of Mariupol.Chechen officials,
beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The mayor of Mariupol said earlier this month the city waas 90% destroyed, with more than 5,000 of its residents killed.Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Mariupol "continues to resist" despite Russian claims.Ukrainian officials have appealed for a
humanitarian corridor to allow civilians and wounded fighters to leave Azovstal.Chechnya was devastated by separatist conflicts with Russia
the devastation of Mariupol, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian towns and cities.
