Ukraine war: Russia claims to have taken full control of Mariupol
- Capture of the strategic port city after a nearly three-month siege would be Moscow’s biggest victory yet in the war
- Russia’s defence ministry says 2,439 Ukrainian fighters who had been holed up at the embattled Azovstal steelworks had surrendered since Monday
Russia claimed to have captured Mariupol on Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, after a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin, with more than 20,000 civilians feared dead.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin the “complete liberation” of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol – the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance – and the city as a whole, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
There was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine.
Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying 2,439 Ukrainian fighters who had been holed up at the steelworks had surrendered since Monday, including more than 500 on Friday.
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Ukrainian soldiers surrender besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to Russia
As they surrendered, the troops were taken prisoner by the Russians, and at least some were taken to a former penal colony. Others were said to be hospitalised.