(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 17 - Ukraine has confirmed the evacuation of 264 soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
These are 53 wounded soldiers, taken to Novoazovsk, and 211 other fighters brought to Olenivka, in the territory controlled by the pro-Russian separatists of Donetsk.
The latter were then brought to areas held by Ukrainian forces as part of an exchange of prisoners.
This was reported by the General Staff of Kiev on Facebook.
"The 'Mariupol' garrison has completed its combat mission. The Supreme Military Command has ordered the commanders of the units stationed in Azovstal to save the lives of the personnel", said the Ukrainian staff, stating that "the relief efforts to the defenders remained on the territory of
"The defenders of Mariupol are the heroes of our time. They are always in history", continued the command of Kiev.
"By maintaining positions in Azovstal, they did not allow the enemy to transfer groups of up to 17 battle groups (about 20,000 staff members) to other areas.
This prevented the implementation of the plan for the rapid capture of Zaporizhzhia, access to the border. administration of the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia "and" gave us the opportunity to prepare and create defensive lines, where our troops are today, "explained the General Staff.
"We hope we can save our boys", because Ukraine "needs living heroes, and I think any judicious person will understand these words."
This was stated by President Volodymyr, quoted by the Ukrinform agency, confirming the start of the evacuation of the military who for 82 days defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
The Ukrainian army and Intelligence in collaboration with the Red Cross and the UN participate in the operation, added Zelensky.
(HANDLE).