Together, the MID of the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the Border Guard Service launched an operation to rescue defenders of Mariupol blocked on the territory of the Azovstal plant

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar comments:

"Together, the Main Investigations Department of the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the Border Guard Service has launched an operation to rescue the defenders of Mariupol blocked on the territory of the Azovstal plant.

On May 16, 53 seriously injured people were evacuated from the Azovstal to a medical facility in Novoazovsk for medical treatment.

Another 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor.

An exchange procedure will be carried out to return them home.

As for the defenders who still remain on the territory of the Azovstal, rescue efforts are being carried out by the joint efforts of the above-mentioned agencies.

Thanks to the defenders of Mariupol, we have gained critical time to form reserves, regroup forces and receive assistance from partners.

The defenders of Mariupol fulfilled all the tasks set by the command in full.

Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to unblock Azovstal by military means.

The most important common task of the whole of Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol."