More than 900 Ukrainian fighters who had been holed up in Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant have been taken to a prison colony in Russian-controlled territory, Moscow has said.
Ukraine ordered troops there to stand down as part of a deal struck by both sides, as it attempts to save their lives. Food and water supplies have reportedly been scarce in the plant for several weeks.
A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said on Wednesday that 959 Ukrainian service personnel had surrendered since Tuesday.
Of those, 51 were being treated for their injuries and the remainder had been sent to a former prison colony in the town of Olenivka in a Russian-controlled area of the Donetsk region.
The defence ministry in Kyiv said it was hoping for an "exchange procedure... to repatriate these Ukrainian heroes as quickly as possible", according to AFP.
Their fate remains unclear, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refusing to say whether they would be treated as criminals or prisoners of war.
Ukraine's defence ministry pledged to do "everything necessary" to rescue those still in the sprawling network of tunnels and bunkers under the steel plant, but admitted there was no military option available.
Latest Stories
-
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
2 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
2 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
2 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
2 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
2 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
2 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
3 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
3 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
3 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
3 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
4 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
4 hours -
Bawku Conflict: National Security fully aware of events – Bawku Naaba’s lawyer
4 hours -
Dodome to celebrate festival in a bid to construct traditional council facility
4 hours