The bloodiest battle of the war in Ukraine has come to an end as Mariupol has fallen.
We recall that this particular port city was a target of the Russian invasion forces from the first day of the war, while what happened and is happening in Azovstal is occupying the international media.
As reported by the New York Times, the battle in Mariupol ended on Tuesday, long after the city itself had been destroyed, as wounded Ukrainian soldiers who had taken refuge in the Azovstal steelworks were driven away to Russian territory in buses bearing the Russian war banner "Z" and their comrades who were resisting in underground bunkers were ordered to abandon their fight.
Ukraine's decision to end the battle at the Azovstal factory gave Moscow full control of a vast swath of southern Ukraine, stretching from the Russian border to Crimea, as Russian forces appear to be fortifying their hold on parts of the south they seized early in their invasion.
Prisoner exchanges will take place[BR]
Ukraine is working on the "next stages" of evacuating militants from Azovstal in Mariupol, Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk told Telegram.
"To save lives, 52 of our severely wounded soldiers were evacuated yesterday (Monday). After their condition is stabilized, we will exchange them for Russian prisoners of war."
He gave no further details, but concluded by saying: "God willing, everything will be fine."
Watch video of the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers
What Zelensky said
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has launched an operation to "rescue the defenders of Mariupol", but added that the task will require "discretion and time".
In a videotaped statement, Zelensky thanked the Red Cross and the UN, as well as Ukraine's military and intelligence agencies, for their efforts to "bring our lads back."
"Ukraine needs our Ukrainian heroes alive. This is our principle," he says."
Ukraine's Defense Ministry says 264 militants abandoned the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and moved to areas held by Russian-backed rebels."
https:/cyprustimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220516_Zvernennya_ENG_SUB_TG.mp4
Source.gr
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
