This Monday (16), on the 82nd day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 260 Ukrainian fighters were evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. The area had been besieged by Russian forces since the beginning of the conflict and was seen as the last stronghold of resistance in the port city.

Fighters, 53 of whom were wounded, left the scene with bus convoys. The withdrawal came after an agreement between Russia and Ukraine that allowed for the opening of humanitarian corridors.

“As a result of negotiations with representatives of the Ukrainian army, which was blocked on the territory of the Azovstal steel plant, an agreement was reached for the evacuation of the wounded,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Controlled by pro-Russian separatists, Novoazovsk and Olenivka were the fighters’ destinations. The Defense Ministry said the Ukrainians would be repatriated through an exchange process with Russia.

“I want to emphasize that Ukraine needs its heroes alive. This is our principle,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video.

Ukrainian officials noted on Facebook that the resistance in Azovstal “prevented the Russians from quickly seizing the city of Zaporozhye”.

The text reads: “The defenders of Mariupol are the heroes of our time. They will forever go down in history.”

nato

In Finland, the country’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, made a presentation to Parliament today on the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) membership report.

Discussing the issue in the Parliament after Finland’s statement, Sweden also announced its request to join the military alliance today.

“Sweden will be alone in a very vulnerable position outside of NATO,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. We have left behind an era to enter a new era,” he said.

The resolutions mark the end of military neutrality in both countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today there would be an “answer” if Finland and Sweden join NATO.

“Expansion of military infrastructure into this region will certainly trigger our response,” said Russian state-owned Tass. “Let’s analyze what will happen [a resposta] based on the threats that will be created for us.”

Norway, Denmark and Iceland issued a joint statement today saying they will support Finland and Sweden if they face retaliation from Russia for the two countries’ requests to join a military alliance. Turkey has already declared its opposition to accession.

With information from AFP, Reuters and ANSA