As recalled in the ministry, in Mariupol at the time of its encirclement on March 11 were: the 36th separate brigade of the marines, the 109th brigade of territorial defense, the 503rd separate battalion of the marines, a company of the 53rd separate mechanized brigade, units of the 17th anti-tank brigade, the Nazi formations "Azov", "Aidar", "Right Sector" *, units of the police and the State Border Service, as well as foreign mercenaries.
“The total number of this group was about 8100 people,” the Ministry of Defense noted.
According to the testimonies of the military who laid down their arms, the total number of Ukrainian military, Nazis and foreign mercenaries who took refuge in Azovstal does not exceed 2.5 thousand, the report says.
“Therefore, Zelensky’s recent statements to the Western media that the irretrievable losses of the Ukrainian military during the operation allegedly amount to 2.5-3 thousand are a common lie for him,” they summed up.
In addition, the department confirmed that the entire urban area of Mariupol was cleared of Ukrainian troops, the remnants of the group were blocked at the Azovstal plant.
In total, the irretrievable losses of the Ukrainian army amount to 23,367 people, the Ministry of Defense said.
* "Right Sector" is a Ukrainian association of radical nationalist organizations, recognized as extremist and banned in Russia (decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 11/17/2014).