Ruins of the Azovstal Steelworks After being attacked for more than two months.
The Russian Defense Ministry declared complete victory. In the battle forslot xothe Azovstal Steel Mill which is the last stronghold of the Ukrainian forces defending the city of Mariupol
The statement stated that Russian forces have liberated the entire territory of the Azovstal factory. After the last group of 531 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered and were sent out of the factory.
The underground tunnel system and large bunkers in the factory It used to be a hiding place for thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians for over two months. It is now fully under the control of Russian forces.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukrainian television late Friday night that the last group of soldiers at the Azovstal factory had been granted permission from the authorities to leave the stronghold.
“Today the soldiers received a clear signal from the commander. This tells them to come out of the stronghold and save their lives first,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Russian soldier shooting old man on bicycle plead guilty to war crimes
Russian drone destroyer Real weapons or propaganda?
when the Ukrainian village was bombarded with Russian shells.
However, the fate of all 2,439 Ukrainian troops who were sent from the Azovstal factory to the Russian-held city is not yet known. what will happen next
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities said There will be an exchange of Ukrainian soldiers with Russian prisoners of war later. But the Russian side did not confirm. or any mention of a prisoner of war exchange agreement
President Vladimir Putin said he would treat Ukrainian soldiers from Mariupol in accordance with international law. But many Russian politicians have called for execution. Or bring members of the Azov Battalion, considered by Russia to be Nazis, to court. to convict for war crimes