Ukraine signals end to war in Mariupol

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Ukraine has signaled the end of the war in the Russian-controlled southern port city of Mariupol. In a statement, the Ukrainian military announced the completion of a "war operation" in Mariupol. The announcement comes at a time when Ukrainian troops are being withdrawn from the besieged Azovstal in Mariupol through negotiations with Russia. News from CNN.
Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a new statement that Mariupol Garrison had completed their combat mission. It further added that the Supreme Military Command had instructed the commanders of the units stationed at Ajwastal to save the lives of their troops.
The statement said, "Mariupol's resistance fighters are the heroes of our time. History will remember them forever. They include the Special Azov Unit, the 12th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, the 36th Separate Brigade of Marines, the Border Guard, the police, the volunteers and the Mariupol regional forces.
"We had the opportunity to prepare and build a line of defense, keeping an eye on the main enemy forces around Mariupol, where our troops are ready today to repel the aggression," it said.
The statement said, "One of the most important tasks for the whole of Ukraine and the world is to save the lives of Mariupol's resistance fighters." We will fight for you on all fronts just as you are defending the state with confidence. '
Earlier, in a video message, Hanna Malir, Ukraine's deputy defense minister, confirmed that some resistance fighters were still stationed at the Azovstal steel plant.
Meanwhile, 264 Ukrainian troops have been evacuated from the besieged steel plant through an agreement with Russia. Ukraine has confirmed the matter. They were stuck there for more than two months.
Hanna Malir said 53 seriously wounded soldiers had been taken to the Russian-backed rebel-held town of Novozhovsk. The remaining 211 troops were taken to Olenivka, another rebel-held city, using humanitarian corridors.
According to the news agency Reuters, 12 buses carrying Ukrainian troops left the huge industrial area of ​​the southern port city on Monday evening. Russian state media have broadcast video footage of wounded Ukrainian soldiers being evacuated from Azovstal.
Russia says an agreement has been reached to remove wounded soldiers from the steel plant. Hanna Maliar said the troops would be brought back in exchange for the handover of captured Russian troops.
Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24, citing Ukraine's move to join NATO as a threat to its security. However, with the help of Western weapons, the Ukrainian forces put up a strong resistance and the Russian forces withdrew their forces from the north and intensified their operations in the east and south.