More than 260 people were rescued from the besieged Azovstal plant on Monday, including 53 seriously injured, according to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar.
In a video statement Malyar said that together the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the Border Guard Service launched an operation to rescue Mariupol defenders trapped in Azovstal territory.
“53 seriously injured people were evacuated from Azovstal to a medical center in Novoazovsk [no território da República Popular de Donetsk] for medical care,” said Malyar.
“Another 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor. An exchange procedure will be carried out to return them home.”
Olenivka is a town near Donetsk on the front lines of current fighting, but in Russian-occupied territory.
Malyar made it clear that some defenders remain in Azovstal.
“As for the defenders who still remain on the territory of Azovstal, the rescue efforts are being carried out by the joint efforts of the aforementioned agencies,” he declared.
She added: “Thanks to the Mariupol defenders, we have gained critical time to form reserves, regroup forces and receive assistance from partners. The defenders of Mariupol fully fulfilled all the tasks established by the command”.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to unlock Azovstal by military means. The most important common task for the whole of Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol.”
Shortly after Malyar’s statement was released, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the situation in Azovstal and also hinted that some Ukrainians remained inside the factory.
“Thanks to the actions of the Ukrainian military, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intelligence, the negotiating team, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, we hope to be able to save the lives of our men,” Zelensky said.
“Among them are the seriously injured. They are being treated. I want to emphasize that Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive. This is our principle.”
“Work continues to bring the boys home, and this work needs delicacy. And time,” concluded the Ukrainian president.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
