Most of the dead were guarding the Azovstal forge (Photo: Getty / Reuters)

According to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agency, the remains of more than 200 Ukrainian fighters killed in the Battle of Mariupol have been returned.

He said most of the 210 bodies returned by the Russian army were from the city’s Azovstal foundry.

Authorities did not identify how many more might remain in the ruins of a fortress-like factory where the last stand became a symbol of resistance.

Russia now controls the entire abandoned port city.

Moscow troops began handing over the bodies last week, and Ukraine said on Saturday that the two sides had exchanged 320 dead fighters, with each side receiving 160.

Whether another agency was handed over to Russia is unknown.

Ukrainian fighters defended the steelworks for almost three months before surrendering to a relentless Russian attack by land, sea and air last month.

Drone footage is from Azovstal Iron and Steel Works on screen in this unsigned social media video posted on May 17, 2022, during a Russian and pro-Russian military attack on Mariupol, Ukraine. It shows people carried on stretchers. REUTER STHIS social media video. Images provided by a third party. No resale. There is no file. Reuters was unable to independently see when the video was recorded and who was being carried away on the stretcher.

Last month, one person was carried on a stretcher from Azovstal Ironworks (Photo: Reuters).

Soldiers from Ukraine’s Azov Regiment were transferred to Mariupol, Ilenovka on May 17 (Photo: Getty Images).

Meanwhile, a battle is raging for control of Sieviero Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is key to Moscow’s plans to occupy the Donbas region.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in a video address last night that Russian troops have made no significant gains in the eastern Donbus region that day, “absolutely heroic defense of Donbus continues.”

However, Russian troops are closing in and the Kremlin claims to control 97% of one of the two states in the Donbus region.

The Ukrainians have been waiting in the factory for three months, but now Russia dominates the city (Photo: Getty Images)

Surrendered Ukrainians were evacuated from the city by Russian troops (Photo: Getty Images)

Zelensky said Vladimir Putin’s army did not expect much resistance and is now trying to bring in additional troops and equipment.

He added that the same applies to the southern part of Kherson, which was occupied by Russian troops at the beginning of the war.

Ukrainian leaders also said that Ukraine will publish a special “executioner’s book” next week confirming information about war crimes committed by Russian troops.

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