Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO on Wednesday, marking another step towards expanding the Western military alliance, although the full accession process could take a year and Turkey’s objections must be overcome.
The status of the besieged Azovstal steel complex in Mariupol, a badly damaged port city in southern Ukraine, remains unknown, with Ukraine silent on how many soldiers may still be at the plant.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hana Malyar said on Tuesday that Kyiv knows how many soldiers are still hiding in the plant, but declined to disclose the number, saying the information was “sensitive”.
More than 260 Ukrainian fighters, including some seriously wounded, were evacuated on Monday and taken to Russian-controlled areas, the Ukrainian military said, with further evacuations pending. Russia claims the soldiers at the plant have “surrendered”. Now the fate of the city hangs in the balance, with Russia ready to take full control.
Ukraine, meanwhile, claims that the Russian army lost 27,900 troops after invading Ukraine on February 24, according to NBC News.
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