The majority of Russian forces withdrew from Mariupol – Pentagon

According to the Pentagon, the majority of Russian forces have moved away to the north from Mariupol.

This was announced at a briefing by John Kirby, spokesman of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The almost completely occupied Ukrainian city continues to be under constant air and artillery strikes from the Russian troops.

“Our knowledge of Russian force dispositions, you know, it isn’t perfect… In general, we would assess that the majority of Russian forces, ground forces that were dedicated to Mariupol have left and have moved to the north away from Mariupol,” said Kirby.

According to a Pentagon spokesman, a “small number” of Russian troops is now stationed in and around the city, roughly the equivalent of “a couple of battalion tactical groups.”

Currently, the Russians are mainly launching the airstrikes on Mariupol and its surroundings, and continue to charge the Azovstal plant, where the Ukrainian defenders are stationed and holding the defense under heavy fire.

The basements of the plant are sheltering the civilians who are hiding from the shelling.

It was also reported that the next stage of rescuing Ukrainians from Azovstal is currently ongoing.

This was announced by Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General on Twitter:

“Almost 500 people were successfully evacuated from the Azovstal plant, Mariupol, and adjacent area.”