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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukrainian militants holed up in Azot plant begin to surrender, LPR militia reports

The number of those who have surrendered and their affiliation to particular Ukrainian units are not disclosed for the purposes of their security, Andrey Marochko said

LUGANSK, June 17. /TASS/. Some Ukrainian forces entrenched in the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk have begun to surrender, LPR peoples’ militia officer Andrey Marochko reported on Friday.

"During the special military operation on the premises of the Azot enterprise in the city of Severodonetsk, some Ukrainian forces, indeed, made a correct decision and began to surrender," the Lugansk Information Center quoted the officer as saying.

The number of those who have surrendered and their affiliation to particular Ukrainian units are not disclosed for the purposes of their security, Marochko added.

"[Ukrainian] anti-retreat forces are very active on the enterprise’s premises now. Also, the relatives of those who have surrendered may face persecution on Ukrainian territory," he explained.

As was reported earlier, up to 2,500 militants, of whom up to a quarter are foreign mercenaries, may be ensconced in the Severodonetsk industrial zone. Lugansk People’s Republic Assistant Interior Minister Vitaly Kiselyov earlier said that the Ukrainian militants were holding up to 1,200 civilians hostage on the premises of the Azot chemical plant.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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