The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that more than 260 fighters had been evacuated from the Azovstal factory in Mariupol and taken to two localities controlled by Russian -backed rebels.
A contingent of 53 wounded fighters was brought to Novoazovsk, while 211 others were evacuated via a humanitarian corridor to Olenivka, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said.
Reuters reported that a dozen buses loaded with Ukrainian fighters were seen leaving the Azovstal steelworks.
Earlier on Monday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that a ceasefire had been established on steel making, the last stronghold of the Ukrainian resistance in the city of Mariupol, to continue this evacuation.
According to the ministry statement, the ceasefire was the result of negotiations with the Ukrainian fighters themselves, who were buried in a maze of underground passages in this massive industrial area.
The women, children and the elderly who took refuge at the site were all evacuated at the end of April, thanks to an operation coordinated by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The strategic port city of Mariupol has been completely destroyed since Russia launched its offensive on February 24 against Ukraine.
More details to come.
Source: Radio-Canada
