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Military operation in Ukraine

Militants abandoning Azovstal undoubtedly indicate their surrender, Kremlin says

Since Tuesday, almost 960 militants have surrendered

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The militants leaving the Azovstal plant in Mariupol are undoubtedly indicating their intentions to lay down their arms and surrender, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

"This must unambiguously indicate that the militants who have been hiding on the Azovstal premises are laying down their arms to surrender," Peskov told reporters.

The presidential spokesman referred questions if there were foreign officers or mercenaries among the surrendered to Russia’s top brass.

"As for the identification of those who have been surrendering, you should ask the Defense Ministry," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry spokesman, Major-General Igor Konashenkov, said the Ukrainian troops who had been entrenched at the Azovstal industrial complex continued surrendering. Since May 16, almost 960 militants have surrendered.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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