Russia Claims Rare Victory, Mariupol Defenders Surrender With Fate Unknown

There are reportedly more than 250 Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered to Russia at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, ending one of the most devastating advances of Russia in Ukraine.

It was a rare victory on the part of Russian leader Vladimir Putin with Ukraine continuing to hold its own against Russian forces.

Russia is preparing to take full control of Mariupol, overshadowing the fact that its bid to conquer all of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas is not doing well, Reuters reported.

Buses were spotted leaving Mariupol on Monday, a convoy that was escorted by Russian armored vehicles. Five of them arrived in Novoazovsk, a region controlled by Russia. This was also where Moscow allegedly treated their wounded fighters.

It was also added that seven buses carried Ukrainian fighters from the Azovstal garrison. They arrived at the newly reopened prison in Olenivka near Donetsk per an unnamed witness in the report.

There were also women on board at least one of the buses in Olenivka as seen in a video. They could be seen wearing olive green uniforms, as did most of the men. All appeared exhausted. One was spotted resting against duffle bags that were stacked on the floor.

As far as the Ukrainian fighters are concerned, their fate remains unclear.

The Kremlin said Putin had personally guaranteed the prisoners would be treated according to international standards, and Ukrainian officials said they could be exchanged for Russian captives.

Per the TASS news agency, the said soldiers will be questioned by a Russian committee as part of an investigation into what Moscow calls “Ukrainian regime crimes.” Many of the soldiers were reportedly members of the Azov Batallion.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have reportedly stagnated. They last convened in March in person and there has been little to no communication in the past weeks.