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Military operation in Ukraine

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Six militants killed at Azovstal plant while trying to blow up ammo depots — DPR leader

"It is unclear who did this, no one is assuming responsibility, but after the main group walked out, <…> someone ordered to blow up ammunition caches," Donetsk People’s Republic leader Denis Pushilin told

Leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin Nikolai Trishin/TASS

Leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin

© Nikolai Trishin/TASS

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Six Ukrainain servicemen were killed on the territory of the Azovstal Plant in Mariupol when they tried to blow up their ammunition caches before surrendering, Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) leader Denis Pushilin told the Soloviev Live YouTube channel on Saturday.

"It is unclear who did this, no one is assuming responsibility, but after the main group walked out, <…> someone ordered to blow up ammunition caches. This was done in haste, and orders were unclear, so, as a result, six people died immediately, and, as far as I know, four were injured," he said.

According to Pushilin, an unknown number of Ukrainian servicemen could still be on the plant’s territory. In his words, they have a stock of food and water, but are short on medicines.

The DPR leader went on to say that "every room, every nook and cranny" of the plant are currently being thoroughly searched.

On Friday, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu had informed President Vladimir Putin that the operation to liberate completely the Azovstal plant and the entire city of Mariupol from Ukrainian militants had been completed. A total of 2,439 Azov battalion nationalists and Ukrainian service members, who were holed up inside the plant since April 21, have laid down their arms and surrendered since May 16.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

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