The wounded soldiers from Azovstal were evacuated to the Novoazovsk hospital on the territory of the so-called "DNR". This was announced on the air of a single telethon on May 17 by Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anna Maliar.
According to her, 53 critically wounded fighters were taken to the Novoazovsk hospital.
"Another 211 defenders of Azovstal were evacuated through the humanitarian corridor occupied Olenivka. They are going to be returned to the territory controlled by Ukraine under the exchange procedur", - Maliar reported.
As the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine stated, at present, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, the AFU, the National Guard, and the Border Guard Service are carrying out an operation to rescue the defenders of Mariupol who remained on the territory of Azovstal.
"Regarding the defenders still remaining on the territory of Azovstal, measures are being taken to rescue them through the joint efforts of the above departments. Thanks to the defenders of Mariupol, we received critical time to form reserves, regroup forces and receive assistance from partners. The defenders of Mariupol completed all the tasks set by the command in full. Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to release Azovstal by military means. The most important common task of all Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol", - Anna Maliar stated.
As reported, ten buses with the Ukrainian military left Azovstal on the evening of May 16.