959 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered at Azovstal since Monday: Russia

World

Published: 2022-05-18 13:06

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 09:04


959 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered at Azovstal since Monday: Russia
959 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered at Azovstal since Monday: Russia

Russia's defense ministry said Wednesday that 959 Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered this week at the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol, AFP reported.

"Over the past 24 hours, 694 militants surrendered, including 29 wounded," the ministry said in its daily briefing on the conflict. "In total since May 16, 959 militants surrendered, including 80 wounded."

It said those requiring medical treatment were taken to a hospital in the town of Novoazovsk in Russian-controlled territory.

Kyiv is hoping to exchange the surrendered Ukrainian fighters, but Russia has yet to confirm whether they will be part of a prisoner swap.

Kyiv's defense ministry has said it would do "everything necessary" to rescue the undisclosed number of personnel that remain in the steelworks, but admitted there was no military option available.