This is the moment pro-Russian sappers use metal detectors and demining robots to clear the battered city of Mariupol of mines and explosives after “liberating” the area last week.

The pro-Russian People’s Militia of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said they are continuing demining operations after seizing Mariupol last week.

Following the “liberation” of the port city from “Ukrainian militants”, according to the DPR, peaceful life is being restored in the bombed-out city.

The militia added that sappers are using the most modern equipment available to clear the area of explosives, including large Uran-6 demining robots.

The People’s Militia said on 24th May: “Mariupol, completely liberated from Ukrainian militants, is starting to restore peaceful life, but this cannot be done without the complete demining of the city.

“This is what fighters of the People’s Militia of the DPR are doing with the support of the combined demining unit of the international mine action centre of the Russian Armed Forces.

“To eliminate explosive objects, sappers use the most modern equipment available, including the Uran-6 robotic demining system.”

Meanwhile, Russian forces are currently trying to encircle the eastern cities of Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk and Rubizhne, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces are trying to destroy “everything living” in the embattled Donbas region and he reiterated that his country remains disposed to exchange prisoners with Russia.

Last week, President Zelenskyy called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an “absolute failure” and said Russian leaders were afraid to acknowledge “that catastrophic mistakes were made at the highest military and state level”.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 90th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 24th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 29,350 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,302 tanks, 3,194 armoured fighting vehicles, 606 artillery systems, 201 multiple launch rocket systems, 93 anti-aircraft systems, 205 warplanes, 170 helicopters, 2,213 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 480 unmanned aerial vehicles, 43 units of special equipment, and 112 cruise missiles.