Olena Tolkachova characterized the withdrawal from Azovstal as a special operation where commanders Denys 'Redis' Prokopenko made decisions for wounded and unconscious soldiers to hold Mariupol longer for strategic reasons.

Commander Denys Prokopenko decided to draw Russian forces to the site to delay the fall of Mariupol and support defenses in Kyiv and Chernihiv.

Russian occupiers have increased law enforcement patrolling and ID checks in Mariupol.

Russians are stepping up mobilization campaigns and conducting counter-partisan measures in Mariupol.

First arrests of local residents have been reported in occupied Mariupol.

On September 19, the so-called 'Public Chamber' of the LPR appealed to leader Leonid Pasechnik to urgently conduct a referendum on joining Russia. The Public Chamber of the DPR issued a similar statement.

Kateryna Polishchuk is in Russian captivity and a video with her was published by Russian propagandists.

Russian propaganda identified Kateryna Polishchuk as an 'Azov' sniper, while she stated she worked as a medic.