On Monday, a Ukrainian unit hidden under the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol said it his garrison obeys orders to save the lives of soldiers – a clear sign that the longest and bloodiest battle in the Ukrainian war is coming to an end.
Reuters saw it on Monday about a dozen buses, apparently transporting Ukrainian fighters, to leave the plant. It was not possible to determine how many people were on board. It is estimated that the huge Soviet-era factory houses about 600 fighters, including dozens wounded.
“With purpose saving human lives “The entire Mariupol garrison is implementing the approved decision of the Supreme Military Command and hopes for the support of the Ukrainian people,” the Azov Regiment said in a post on social media.
Ukraine: Mariupol has been turned into a medieval ghetto
There was a danger of epidemics
–
It says defenders of Mariupol, in the southeastern part of the country, have stayed for 82 days, gaining time for the rest of Ukraine to fight Russian forces and secure the Western weapons needed to withstand the Russian attack.
The steel plant is the last Ukrainian bastion in the once thriving port, which it is now in ruins after months of Russian siegewhich, according to Ukraine, killed tens of thousands of people.
Since February, the destruction of Mariupol has become a symbol of both Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian invasion and Russia’s readiness. to destroy Ukrainian citieswho resist.
In a video accompanying the statement of the Azov Regiment, one of the unit’s senior commanders, Denis Prokopenko, said: the tasks set and the preservation of the life and health of the personnel? “
–
Russia reports removal of Azovstal wounded
Ukrainian sources have not confirmed the agreement reached
–
“This is the highest level of command of the troops. Especially when your decision is approved by the high military command.”
Prokopenko did not specify what actions the defenders have taken. The video was released hours after Russia said it had agreed to evacuate wounded Ukrainian soldiers to a medical facility in the Russian-controlled city of Novoazovsk.
–
