Operation To Rescue Mariupol Defenders Began

Statement by Zelensky and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry.

Late in the evening of May 16, an operation to rescue Ukrainian servicemen staying at Azovstal in Mariupol began. A total of 264 people were evacuated.

This was announced by Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Anna Malyar, apostrophe.ua reported.

Fifty-three seriously wounded were evacuated to Novoazovsk, 211 more were taken to Olenivka through a humanitarian corridor. They will be returned through an exchange.

"Regarding the defenders who are still remaining on the territory of Azovstal. Joint efforts are being made to rescue them," Malyar said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has also commented on the situation: "Thanks to the actions of the Ukrainian military, the AFU, intelligence, the negotiating team, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN, we hope to save the lives of our guys. There are seriously wounded among them and they are being treated".

The president confirmed that the operation to rescue the Mariupol defenders had started and noted that work was continuing to bring the military back home.

Reuters has published photos of the evacuation.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff has also issued a statement: