How Ukraine’s own ‘300 Spartans’ outnumbered 10 to one in Mariupol are STILL holding out as Putin vows to starve them

UKRAINIAN soldiers continuing to hold out inside a giant steel plant in Mariupol have been dubbed the country’s own “300 Spartans”. The troops, along with a small group of civilians, are refusing to budge from inside the Azovstal steelworks – despite Vladimir Putin’s threat to starve them. ReutersA woman holding a child speaks as they take shelter in Azovstal[/caption] Kommersant Photo / PolarisView of the metallurgical plant Azovstal earlier this month[/caption] ReutersService members of pro-Russian troops stand guard as evacuees board buses to leave the Mariupol[/caption] The brave fighters were told earlier this week to surrender and promised they will would be allowed to live, given medical attention and looked after. But troops are said to still be holed up in the steel mill which boasts a large underground network of tunnels. But the defenders at Azovstal show no signs of giving up – and appear instead to be prepared for die for their country. In a moving piece, Bloomberg columnist Andreas Kluth remarked their efforts were something of a marvel as we have seen in other events throughout history. Read more on Ukraine 'very hard' GMB guest breaks down in tears over 'guilt' about fleeing Ukraine LEFT TO ROT Monster Putin plots to STARVE Ukraine heroes by 'entombing' them in catacombs He wrote: “A tiny force centered around 300 Spartans held the gap for three days until they were betrayed and outflanked. “All died. But they had slowed down the Persian assault. The following year, the Greeks won the war.” Kluth continued: “The Ukrainians at Azovstal are fighting for one another, for their country, and for history. “Maybe, like the rebel samurai and so many others before, they’re also fighting just because the whims of fate placed them in a particular place at a particular time, and they heard the call to take their last stand. Most read in The Sun GRUMPY TRUMPY Moment Trump storms off Piers Morgan interview raging 'you're DISLOYAL' BABY JOY! Vogue Williams gives birth & shares first snap of third tot with Spencer Matthews PRICE OF FAME Katie Price is selling off dirty designer heels ahead of bankruptcy hearing PAY BACK Thousands of households receive £150 council tax rebate into bank accounts SCOUTS ARE OUT Man Utd's two leading scouts leave as club prepares transfer overhaul BALE STORM Real announce Bale is OUT of squad vs Osasuna but delete tweet moments later “If they perish, it will be on their own terms, and with honor. The Azovstal troops are likely inspired by the country’s leader President Volodymyr Zelensky whose fierce commitment to defend his country has impressed the world. As Russian troops relocated to the Donbas as part to begin battle to seize the east, he vowed they will keep defending themselves. “No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight.” Putin called off the assault on hero Ukrainian troops buried in the Mariupol steel plant, declaring the besieged city is now in Russian hands. He ordered his forces to continue to securely blockade the complex instead of launching a bloody final battle. The Russian President said he considered the “storming of the industrial zone unnecessary” as he wanted to safeguard his men. But the warmonger instead wants an impenetrable wall of soldiers surrounding the steel works after claiming Mariupol had been “liberated.” “There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities,” he said. “Block off this industrial area so that a fly cannot pass through.” CALL FOR HELP Putin promised they would treat them with respect and would provide medical assistance to those injured. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk made an urgent appeal for a humanitarian corridor from Azovstal. She wrote in a post on Telegram: “There are now about 1,000 civilians and 500 wounded soldiers. They all need to be removed from Azovstal today. GRIFCO/PRTRAVEL- SUNDAY CHECK IN CHECK OUT : FELLOWS HOUSE / THE SUN[/caption] Read More on The Sun KILLER'S CRIES Evil mum HOWLS as she's found guilty of killing son, 5, with stepdad & teen AIR RAGE Boxing icon Mike Tyson 'repeatedly punches passenger in face during plane attack' “I call on world leaders and the international community to focus their efforts on Azovstal now. “Now this is a key point and a key moment for the humanitarian effort.” ReutersMum Azov Battalion inside Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine[/caption] ReutersA service member of pro-Russian troops checks documents of a civilian in Mariupol[/caption]