Russian Defense Ministry: Full Control of the "Azovstal" Plant

The spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, confirmed that the Russian Armed Forces have taken complete control of all facilities at "Azovstal" in Mariupol, where members of the extremist "Azov" battalion took refuge. He stated, "The secret facilities of the project, where the militants of the extremist Ukrainian battalion (Azov) were hiding, are now under the control of the Russian Armed Forces." He added: "Since May 16 of this year, during the operation, 2,439 Ukrainian Nazis from (Azov) and soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have laid down their arms and surrendered," noting that "on Friday, the last group of them, estimated at 531 militants, surrendered." He continued: "The so-called 'leader' of the Nazis of 'Azov' was removed from the factory grounds in a special armored vehicle due to the desire of Mariupol residents to hold him accountable for numerous crimes." Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Vladimir Putin, about the completion of the full liberation of the plant and the city of Mariupol from Ukrainian militants.