Ukraine has confirmed that an operation is under way in agreement with Russian forces to rescue government troops – many wounded – from the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol after nearly three months of heavy bombardment that have pulverised the strategic port city.
Addressing the nation in the early hours of Tuesday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the operation was under way.
“I want to emphasise that Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive,” Zelensky said. “To get the boys home, the work goes on, and it takes delicacy and time.”
The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said in a statement early on Tuesday that the Mariupol garrison had “fulfilled its combat mission”.
“The Supreme Military Command has ordered the commanders of the units stationed at Azovstal to save the lives of the personnel,” the statement added,…
