Defenders emerge as siege ends in Mariupol

MARIUPOL — More than 250 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to Russian forces at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol after weeks of desperate resistance, bringing an end to the most devastating siege of Russia's war in Ukraine and allowing President Vladimir Putin to claim a rare victory in his faltering campaign.

Reuters saw buses leave the steelworks, where defenders had held out in a complex of bunkers and tunnels, in a convoy escorted by Russian armoured vehicles. Five arrived in the Russian-held town of Novoazovsk, where Moscow said the wounded would be treated.

What will happen to the fighters was unclear. The Kremlin said Putin had guaranteed the prisoners would be treated according to international standards.

But a Reuters witness said seven buses carrying Ukrainian fighters from the Azovstal garrison arrived at a former penal colony in the Russian-controlled town of Olenivka near Donetsk.

TASS news agency said a Russian committee planned to question the soldiers as part of an investigation into what Moscow calls “Ukrainian regime crimes.”

The denouement of a battle which came to symbolize Ukrainian resistance took place as Russia's invading forces struggled elsewhere, with troops retreating from the outskirts of Kharkiv.

The capture of Mariupol is Russia's biggest victory since its Feb. 24 invasion and gives Moscow control of the Sea of Azov coast and an stretch of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Ukraine believes tens of thousands of people were killed under months of Russian bombardment and siege.

Russia said at least 256 Ukrainian fighters had “surrendered,” including 51 severely wounded. Ukraine said 264 soldiers, including 53 wounded, had left.

The United Nations and Red Cross say the true death toll from the siege is still uncounted.