Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the evacuation to separatist-controlled territory was done to save the lives of the fighters who endured weeks of Russian assaults.
They were taken under escort by pro-Russian forces to territory held by those rebels, with Ukraine hoping for a prisoner exchange while rescue attempts continued for those still underground.
"Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes to be alive. It's our principle," he said. An unknown number of fighters stayed behind, but reports by local media outlets suggested more were preparing to accept evacuation into pro-Russian territory. "Thanks to the defenders of Mariupol, Ukraine gained critically important time to form reserves and regroup forces and receive help from partners," Deputy Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said."They fulfilled all their tasks.
Video showed Ukrainian soldiers carrying a post that resembled a Ukrainian blue-and-yellow-striped border marker. Then they placed it on the ground while a dozen of the soldiers posed next to it, including one with belts of bullets draped over a shoulder. Despite their retreat, they can still inflict terrible damage. Mayor Vyacheslav Zadorenko told CBS News that a cultural center used as a distribution hub for humanitarian aid was hit twice in the past week alone. The situation remains critical in four nearby villages still under Russian control.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, ceding control to RussiaUkraine's military said on Tuesday it was working to evacuate all remaining troops from their last stronghold in the besieged port of Mariupol, ceding control of the city to Russia after months of bombardment.
Read more »
Finland, Sweden want in to NATO amid Russia-Ukraine warFinland declared that it wants to join NATO and a “new era,” while Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed hope that Ukraine could win the war as Russian military advances appear to be faltering.
Read more »
British intelligence says Russia has 'lost momentum,' fallen well behind Ukraine invasion scheduleThe British Ministry of Defence claimed that Russia has lost a full one-third of its ground combat forces committed in February and British Intelligence officials say Russia has 'lost momentum' in Donbas.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war live updates: NATO chief endorses looming Finland, Sweden addition as ‘historic moment’Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday to discuss military aid for Ukraine and the continuation of food exports to the developing world. Follow our live updates:
Read more »
Live blog: Ukraine restarts gas supplies after gains in Kharkiv over RussiaAfter Russia shocked the world by entering Ukraine, its military faces a bogged-down conflict – now in its 82nd day – the prospect of a bigger NATO, and an opponent buoyed by wins on and off the battlefield.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Sweden, Finland move toward joining NATO; Western military exercises in regionBelarus's troops could tie up Ukraine's defenses. The U.S. Senate is expected to advance a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine.
Read more »