蜜芽传媒

Ukraine says that over 260 soldiers who were holding out at Mariupol's Azovstal plant for more than 80 days have been evacuated to areas controlled by Russia.

The Ukrainian government hopes all will be returned home through exchange agreements with Russia.

Ukraine's military said the troops had performed their combat task to protect the city, and it was now focused on saving lives. It said some fighters remained trapped in the warren of tunnels and bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks plant.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defence Ministry has announced its troops have regained control of territory on the Russian border near the country's second-largest city of Kharkiv, which had been under constant attack.

Security analyst Maria Avdeeva who's in Kharkiv, spoke to Newsday about the recent events.

She says regarding the evacuation of soldiers from Mariupol: "It is great news that the people are being saved, because that was the priority for the Ukrainian government - they were defending the steel-plant for 82 days and they are the example of incredible courage, and they were ready to stand to the end".

(Photo Credit: DMYTRO 'OREST' KOZATSKYI / Azov Special Forces Regiment of / AFP via Getty Images)

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