Russian army takes control of Azovstal steel plant

Russian army takes control of Azovstal steel plant

The Russian military says the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol has been "totally liberated", with the last Ukrainian defenders surrendering, Qazet.az reports.

A group comprising of 531 people, have yielded, according to Russia's defence ministry, RIA news agency reports.

"The territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol, where a group of Ukrainian militants of the Azov Nazi formation has been blocked since April 21 this year, has been completely liberated," Major General Igor Konashenkov said.

The ministry said that since 16 May, 2,439 "neo-Nazis from Azov and Ukrainian troops" trapped in the steelworks "laid down their arms and surrendered".

"The last group of 531 militants surrendered today."