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Moscow said nearly 700 more Ukrainian fighters had decided to surrender in Russian-held Mariupol, bolstering a key southern gain, while the US became the latest Western country to reopen its embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has ordered the withdrawal of its garrison from Mariupol, but the eventual result of Europe’s bloodiest battle in decades remains unknown. According to Denis Pushilin, the leader of pro-Russian separatists in control of the area, top commanders of Ukrainian fighters who made their last stand at the Azovstal steelworks inside the port city, are still inside the plant.
Ukrainian officials have refused to publicly comment on the fate of the fighters.
“The state is making every effort to rescue our service personnel,” military official Oleksandr Motuzaynik said at a press conference. “Any information made public could jeopardise that process.”
On Tuesday, Ukraine confirmed the surrender of more than 250 fighters but did not specify how many more were still inside.
Russia announced on Wednesday that 694 more fighters had surrendered, bringing the total to 959. Its defense ministry released videos of what it claimed were Ukrainian fighters being treated in hospitals after surrendering at Azovstal.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said talks were taking place with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Red Cross, and the United Nations, but provided no further details.
Mariupol is Russia’s largest city so far, allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim a rare win in the invasion, which began on February 24.
In recent offensives, Moscow has shifted its focus to the south-east after withdrawing from Kyiv, where the US announced on Wednesday that operations at its embassy had resumed.
“The Ukrainian people… have defended their native land in the face of Russia’s unconscionable invasion, and as a result, the Stars and Stripes are once again flying over the Embassy,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to embassy spokesperson Daniel Langenkamp, a small number of diplomats will return to staff the mission initially, but consular operations will not resume immediately.
Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries have recently resumed embassy operations.
In Russian-occupied territory, Ukrainian resistance persists. Ukraine said its fighters used an explosive device to blow up an armoured train carrying Russian troops in the southern city of Melitopol.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the information. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
