Russia Claims To Have Taken Full Control Of Mariupol, Ukraine

The complete takeover of Mariupol gives Putin a badly needed victory in the war he began Feb. 24 but there wasn't immediate confirmation from Ukraine.

Russia claimed to have captured Mariupol on Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, after a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin, with over 20,000 civilians feared dead.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin the "complete liberation" of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol — the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance — and the city as a whole, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

There was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine.