In the early morning of May 17 local time, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the Ukrainian army's defense mission in the Mariupol Azov Steel Plant has ended, and its main goal is to protect the lives of soldiers. The Ukrainian military also promised to help evacuate all remaining troops in the plant. It is reported that the day before (16th), 53 injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital in the town of Novoazovsk east of Mariupol, and another 211 people were evacuated to the town of Olenivka.
Azov Steel Plant in Mariupol
Russia has not responded to the progress of the withdrawal of the steel plant. Russian media said that Ukraine ordered soldiers in the steel plant to "surrender". The report pointed out that after more than 80 days of standoff, the Ukrainian army evacuated from this last stronghold in Mariupol, and seemed to eventually hand over control of the city to the Russian side. The first batch of evacuated more than 260 soldiers were allegedly moved to the Russian-backed civilian armed area in eastern Ukraine, and all evacuated personnel may be used to exchange captured Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian President: This is a "hard" day
In the early morning of May 17 local time, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated in a statement that Mariupol's garrison had completed the "combat mission." The Supreme Military Command ordered the commanders stationed in the steel plant to protect the lives of soldiers, and the General Staff also promised to evacuate all remaining troops in the plant.
Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Anna Marial said that on Monday (16th) a total of 53 injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital in the town of Novoazovsk east of Mariupol, which is said to be currently a civilian armed area controlled by Russian troops and eastern Ukraine. Another 211 people were sent to the small town of Yelenovka, which is also located in the Russian-backed Ukrainian civilian armed area. Foreign media reported that five buses and an armored personnel carrier arrived in the town of Novo Azosk late on the 16th, and some injured soldiers were carried into the hospital.
The evacuated injured soldiers were carried into the hospital
Ukraine's deputy defense minister has made it clear that there are still soldiers trapped in the steel plant, but has not stated the specific number. Foreign media estimate that there are about 600 soldiers in the factory. Hundreds of civilians have been safely withdrawn earlier this month.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said in his video speech that the day of withdrawal was a "hard" day. "We hope to protect their lives. Some of them are seriously injured people, who are currently receiving treatment. Ukraine needs these heroes to live, which is our principle. I think every sensible person will understand this." Zelensky also said, "The withdrawal will continue to bring the boys home. This work requires caution and time." The report from
pointed out that since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Mariupol has become a "symbol" of the two sides' determination. According to reports, the Ukrainian military held on the steel plant for 82 days, not only restraining some Russian troops, but also buying up time for the Ukrainian army's progress in other conflict areas.
Foreign media: Ukraine has transferred control of Mariupol to the Russian side
Foreign media said that this withdrawal means that the longest and most intense standoff in this Ukrainian conflict has ended, which is a "major failure" in Ukraine. As the Ukrainian army evacuated from Mariupol, the last stronghold, it seemed that Ukraine finally handed over control of the city to Russia. According to reports, when the last Ukrainian soldier withdraws from the steel plant, Russia will have full control of the strategic port city in southern Ukraine.
Asus Steel Plant is internally
Russian media reported that Moscow has not yet made any public statement on the progress of Ukraine's withdrawal, but Ukraine seems to avoid the use of the term "surrender". According to Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Anna Maryar and Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, all withdrawn Ukrainian soldiers may be used to exchange captured Russian soldiers. At present, the exchange requirements have not been determined.
According to foreign media reports, Russia only agreed to reach an agreement to evacuate the wounded in the factory just a few hours before the first batch of Ukrainian soldiers evacuated. Russian Ministry of Defense said, "A humanitarian corridor has been opened, and injured Ukrainian soldiers will be sent to the medical institution in the town of New Azosk through the corridor."
According to a statement from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukrainian troops still defending in the steel plant to this day include the "Azo Battalion" troops, Marines , border guards and volunteers. According to previous reports by foreign media, Zaritzkaya, a member of the "Azov Camp", described the situation in the factory, saying, "They are like living in hell, with new injuries every day. They are exhausted and have no medicine."
Red Star News reporter Ding Wen
Editor Guo Yu
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