The Kremlin is unlikely to attempt to seize Mariupol, despite holding exercises by the Russian fleet in the Sea of ??Azov.

About this "Apostrophe" told the People's Deputy Dmitry Tymchuk.

"When maneuvers are carried out in 16 kilometers from the Ukrainian coast, this is a very alarming signal. At the same time, when they say that under the pretense of exercises, Russians can prepare some sort of landing operation to seize the territories in the Mariupol direction - I do not really believe this, "he said..

In addition, the deputy mentioned the difficulties that Russian troops would face when they attempted to attack the city.

"First, those forces of the Russian Navy that are attracted to these exercises are unlikely to be able to carry out the tasks of carrying out such a large-scale amphibious operation. Secondly, we must understand that taking Mariupol from the sea is not much easier than taking it overland.

For four years, this city is so fortified and the defense system of the whole Mariupol direction has been thought out, that I can not even imagine how the Russians will plan a military operation, "Tymchuk said..

Also, according to him, if President Vladimir Putin intended to go on an open offensive in Ukraine, he would have done it before.

"In addition, carrying out such an operation would mean that Russia has launched a completely open armed aggression against Ukraine. I think if Putin was ready for this, he would not have done it in 2018, but much earlier. The prerequisites were enough ", - summed up Tymchuk.