Russian Defence: Members of the Ukrainian Azov battalion blew up the theater building in Mariupol

MOSCOW, March 17 (YPA) – The Russian Defense Ministry accused the Azov Battalion, a far-right Ukrainian militia, of blowing up the theater.

In a statement on Wednesday , Moscow denied Kiev’s  allegations that Russian forces carried out a raid on the dramatic theater building in Mariupol, noting that members of the Azov battalion blew up the building.

“The theatre building in Mariupol has never been seen as a target because there is a potential threat to civilian lives,” the stamen read.

Ukrainian authorities had earlier announced that Russian forces had destroyed as a result of an air strike on Theatre building in Mariupol, which was used as a shelter for civilians during the bombings.

E.M