Iran Press/ Commentary: Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that 1,026 soldiers of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, according to media reports.
Mariupol, has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks since Russia started its special military operation in Ukraine on Feb 24.
The main Sea of Azov port is the biggest target in the eastern Donbas region that Moscow now calls the focus of its campaign, and if captured would be the first major city to fall since the war began.
"In the town of Mariupol, near the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, as a result of successful offensives by Russian armed forces and Donetsk People's Republic militia units, 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers of the 36th Marine Brigade voluntarily laid down arms and surrendered," the ministry said in a statement.
On Monday, a post on the Ukrainian marine brigade's Facebook page said the unit was preparing for a final battle in Mariupol that would end in death or capture as its troops had run out of ammunition.
"Today will probably be the ultimate battle, as there is no ammo left," said the post. "Beyond that: hand to hand fighting. Beyond that, for some death, for others capture."
Some Ukrainian officials said at the time that the post might have been fake, and that troops were still holding out.
The Russian defence ministry said 151 wounded Ukrainian soldiers were treated on the spot and taken to Mariupol's city hospital.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who said his forces were playing a major role in Russia's battle for Mariupol, said more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered.
Call to Ukrainian services
Following Kadyrov’s announcement, head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov called on Ukrainian servicemen to follow the example of Mariupol servicemen and surrender.
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