Chechen Leader Kadyrov Claims 1.000 Ukrainian Marines Surrender In Mariupol, Calls For Hiding To Surrender

JAKARTA - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines have surrendered in the besieged port city of Mariupol, urging the remaining troops hiding in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender envy.

There was no comment from Ukrainian officials on the remarks made on Kadyrov's Telegram channel. The Ukrainian General Staff, in its morning report on Wednesday, said Russian forces were continuing attacks on Azovstal and the port.

Russian television showed images of what it said were marines who surrendered at the Illich Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, on Tuesday, many of them injured.

It is not clear what factory, Azovstal or Illich Iron and Steel Works, Kadyrov meant when he spoke of the 1.000 surrendered Ukrainian marines.

"In Azovstal there are currently about 200 injured people who are unable to receive any medical assistance," Kadyrov said in his post, as reported by Reuters, April 13.

"For them and others, it would be best to end this useless fight and return to their families."

Separately, Russia's Defense Ministry said 1,026 soldiers of the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in the besieged port city of Mariupol.

"In the city of Mariupol, near the Ilyich Iron and Steel Plant, as a result of the successful attack by the Russian armed forces and militia units of the Donetsk People's Republic, 1.026 Ukrainian soldiers from the 36th Marine Brigade voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered," the ministry said without detail commenting.

In addition, Russia said 151 injured Ukrainian soldiers were treated on the spot and taken to the Mariupol city hospital. There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian president's office, Ukraine's general staff or the defense ministry.

Kadyrov is a staunch supporter of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, deploying many of his fighters in Ukraine to support Russia's efforts to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

In a previous post, he vowed to continue the fight for Mariupol and continue to take all other Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.

Russian television images showed what Ukrainian soldiers said were marching down the street with their hands in the air. One of the soldiers is seen holding a Ukrainian passport.