Breaking news! The General Staff of Ukraine announced the evacuation of a total of 264 soldiers, including 53 seriously wounded, from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol under Russian siege.
The statement of the General Staff of Ukraine stated that the garrison in Mariupol has completed the designated combat mission, and the high military command has ordered the commanders of the military units located at the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant to save the lives of the personnel.
The operation to rescue the soldiers in the area of the factory surrounded by Russian soldiers continued, the statement said, “The evacuation of 53 seriously wounded soldiers has started and they have been taken to the hospital in the city of Novoazovsk. The other 211 soldiers were evacuated to Olenevka to be sent to the area under the control of the Ukrainian army through the exchange procedure.”
The statement said that efforts to rescue the remaining soldiers in Azovstal continue.
UKRAINE NEEDS LIVE UKRAINIAN HEROES”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made statements on the removal of the troops from Azovstal in a public address via video.
Noting that it is a difficult day to protect his country and its people, Zelensky expressed his hope that thanks to the Ukrainian army, intelligence, negotiating team, the United Nations and the International Red Cross Organization, they will be able to save the lives of the soldiers in Azovstal.
Noting that Ukrainian soldiers need time and work to return home, Zelenskiy said, “I want to emphasize this: Ukraine needs live Ukrainian heroes. This is our principle. I think everyone who makes sense will understand these words.”
