Donetsk, Mar 11 – DAN. DPR People's Militia units have neutralized up to 30 armed members of Ukrainian nationalistic squads in urban combat in Mariupol, and captured some equipment, DPR Defence's deputy chief of staff Eduard Basurin said.
"In urban combat in Mariupol, our defenders liquidated up to 30 Ukrainian nationalists," he said, adding that two tanks and an IFV that they left behind have been seized.
More than 50 remaining members of the squad retreated to the premises of the City Hospital No. 9 at 114/116 Gagarina street, where a maternity ward is located.
"Twelve service members of the 53rd and 36th brigades voluntarily laid down their arms, unwilling to sacrifice their lives for the nationalistic regime. They are totally safe now," Basurin said.
A total of 152 Ukrainian military defected to the DPR since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine.
Mariupol is currently blocked, civilians are leaving the city through humanitarian corridors, though some nationalistic units are hampering the evacuation to use the population as a live shield. *ot