JAKARTA - Russian authorities announced that nearly 700 Ukrainian fighters surrendered and laid down arms in Mariupol, bringing the current number to over 900, while Kyiv officials declined to comment.
More than a day after Ukraine announced it had ordered its garrison in Mariupol to withdraw, the final outcome of Europe's bloodiest fighting for decades remains unresolved.
Ukrainian officials declined to comment publicly on the fate of the fighters who had made their last stand at the Azovstal steel mill, holding out as Mariupol was taken over by Russian forces.
"The state is making maximum efforts to carry out the rescue of our service personnel," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzaynik told a news conference. "Any information to the public could jeopardize the process."
Russia said a total of 694 fighters had surrendered overnight, bringing the total number of people who laid down arms to 959.
Meanwhile, the leader of the pro-Russian separatists who control the area, Denis Pushilin, was quoted as saying by local news agency DNA as saying the main commander was still inside the factory.
Earlier, Ukrainian officials had confirmed the surrender of more than 250 fighters on Tuesday, but they did not say how many more were inside.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Red Cross and the United Nations were involved in the talks but gave no details.
But the surrender of the steel mill allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim a rare victory.
It also marks the end of a nearly three-month siege on the port city of more than 400,000 people, in which Ukraine says tens of thousands have died under Russian bombardment.
Ukrainian officials have spoken about arranging a prisoner swap, but Moscow says no such deal has been made for the fighters, most of whom come from right-wing units (Azov's Regiment).
VOIR éGALEMENT:
Russia says more than 50 wounded fighters have been taken to hospital for treatment, while others have been taken to prison, both in Ukrainian cities controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
The Russian Defense Ministry posted a video of what it said was a Ukrainian fighter receiving treatment in hospital after surrendering in Azovstal.
One man shown lying in bed said he had access to food and a doctor, while a second said he had been bandaged and had no complaints about his treatment. It was impossible to tell if those people were speaking freely.
The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin personally guaranteed humane treatment of those who surrendered. However, other Russian politicians have called for them to be detained and even executed.
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