After nearly three months of fierce battle in the port city, Ukraine’s military has concluded its combat mission in Mariupol, and hundreds of Ukrainian combatants are being transported by bus to Russian-controlled territory. Early in March, Russia launched an attack on the city.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar informed a Ukrainian TV station that the Ukrainians and Russians had reached an agreement to exchange seriously injured servicemen from the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol for Russian prisoners of war.
The mayor of Mariupol stated that the cease-fire in the port city is still in effect.
The Ukrainian military has instructed the surviving troops sheltering beneath the Azovstal steel complex to concentrate on measures to preserve their lives.
According to Ukraine’s defence minister, around 260 Ukrainian soldiers were evacuated through a humanitarian corridor, some of them were injured.
According to Malyar, 53 wounded soldiers are being transferred from Azovstal to Novoazovsk, where they will be treated right away.
“In the case of Azovstal, we hope to be able to preserve their lives. Among them are those who have been gravely hurt. I want to emphasise the importance of keeping our defenders alive. Our troops launched an effort to rescue them. We endeavour to get them home, which necessitates delicacy and patience “In his daily address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.
Another 211 Ukrainian combatants were escorted by Russian forces from Azovstal to Olenivka in rebel-controlled Donetsk, where they will be exchanged for Russian POWs.
“50 wounded were evacuated from Azovstal to Novoazovsk as part of an exchange deal. Transferring them to Zaporozhzhya is currently being negotiated “Another source confirmed the conversation to ABC News.
Russia’s state-owned media According to TASS, Russia’s military ministry stated on Monday that an agreement had been struck to evacuate wounded Ukrainian forces from the plant and transport them to a medical centre in Novoazovsk, where “all essential aid” would be provided.
On Tuesday, the Russian military ministry announced that 265 Ukrainian terrorists had put down their rifles and surrendered, with 51 of them being critically injured. Those who need medical attention were transported to a hospital in Novoazovsk, Donetsk People’s Republic.