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The Russia-controlled Donetsk administration said over 900 Ukrainian troops surrendered the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, a figure much larger than previously reported.
“In total, 962 Ukrainian militants surrendered from the territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol,” the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Territorial Defense Headquarters said.
REMAINING UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS EVACUATED FROM MARIUPOL STEEL PLANT: ZELENSKYY
The DPR is the official name of the Russia-backed separatist group in Donetsk.
Smoke rises from the Metallurgical Combine Azovstal in Mariupol, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. (Donetsk People’s Republic Interior Ministry Press Service via AP)
(Donetsk People’s Republic Interior Ministry Press Service via AP)
Mixed reports have emerged concerning the number of Ukrainian personnel that were evacuated from the plant upon its surrender, as early estimates put the figure between a few hundred and 1,000, Ukraine‘s military said.
UKRAINE STRIKES DEAL TO EVACUATE AROUND 50 WOUNDED FIGHTERS FROM MARIUPOL AZOVSTAL FACTORY
The latest figure comes as DPR’s own report from the previous day said: “256 Ukrainian militants had surrendered.”
Smoke rises above the Mariupol Azovstal Iron and Steel Works factory on April 21.
(REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the evacuation of Ukrainian troops during his nightly address Monday, without revealing the exact number of troops who were evacuated.
“Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive. This is our principle. I think that every adequate person will understand these words,” Zelenskyy said.
RUSSIA IS ‘BANKRUPT,’ UNABLE TO WIN AND FACING A ‘DEAD END’ IN THE WAR, ZELENSKYY SAYS
Most of the personnel who were evacuated were sent to Russia-controlled cities, Ukraine’s military said.
“Thanks to the actions of the Ukrainian military – the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intelligence, the negotiating team, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, we hope that we will be able to save the lives of our guys. Among them are the seriously wounded, they are being provided with medical aid,” Zelenskyy added.
An Azov Special Forces Regiment’s serviceman inside the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (Dmytro ‘Orest’ Kozatskyi/Azov Special Forces Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard Press Office via AP)
(Dmytro ‘Orest’ Kozatskyi/Azov Special Forces Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard Press Office via AP)
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Those trapped under the Azovstal steel plant included civilians and Ukrainian forces, many severely injured and missing limbs, as Russian forces took the remainder of the city.
Humanitarian corridors were opened for some of the civilians following successful negotiations. Many of the civilians were also taken to Russian-occupied territories.
