Ukraine has handed over control of Mariupol to Russian forces

Ukraine has handed over control of Mariupol to Russian forces

Ukraine has ceded control of the northern coastal city of Mariupol to Russian forces. On Monday, the main command of the country's army ordered the surrender of Ukrainian troops stationed at the city's steel plant Azvastal plant. 

A statement from the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was issued on Monday evening. The statement added that the Central Army Command had assigned members of the Mariupol unit to ensure the safety of civilians stationed in the Ajavasthal area of ​​Mariupol. These soldiers are our national heroes, protecting the civilian population. " The town on the shores of the Azov Sea was one of the areas in Ukraine where Russian forces clashed with the country's army. 

In April, Russian forces occupied most of the city of Mariupol. The only exception was the Ajwasthal steel plant on the outskirts of the city. Established about five miles from the former Soviet Union, the factory was one of the strongest bases of Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, due to the intensity of the fighting, many civilians in the city could not leave Mariupol and move to a relatively safe place. Some of them took refuge in the basement of the factory. 

For several weeks since April, Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian forces. At one point, Ramzan Kadyrov, one of Russia's top commanders in the war, decided to blow up the entire factory; He later withdrew from the decision at Putin's behest. The process of evacuating the civilians stationed in Ajwastal began in late April and ended last week. 

This time the army members were also withdrawn. A statement from the chief of staff's office said more than 300 troops were stationed at the steel plant in Ajvastal. Of these, 263 are still alive. Fifty-three of the surviving members of the army were taken to Novoyajovs, a town near Mariupol, with injuries. The city is currently under Russian control. 

The remaining 211 are being taken to Olenivka. The city is currently controlled by Russian separatists in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated members of the Ukrainian army in Azerbaijan. "Our heroes are finally returning home," he said in a statement. I sincerely thank the Ukrainian army, the United Nations, the Red Cross, and all those who have made it possible. "Source: Reuters, RT

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