Last Ukrainian defenders surrender at Azovstal, ending Mariupol siege
OCCURRED May 20 · 12:00 UTCRECORDED 2026-09-02T03:31:13.501Zfact_fz25zjoffs
✓ VERIFIEDfactrepo verdict
Multiple reputable sources, including the Associated Press via Newsday and Wikipedia's detailed siege article, consistently report that the last Ukrainian defenders of the Azovstal steel plant surrendered between 16 and 20 May 2022, ending the siege of Mariupol. The sources agree on the timeline and the order to cease fighting from Ukrainian command. The surrender is documented as occurring in stages, with the final group leaving on 20 May, confirming the claim.
Between 16 and 20 May 2022, the remaining Ukrainian defenders of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol surrendered to Russian and Donetsk People's Republic forces, following orders from Ukrainian military command to cease fighting. The surrender marked the end of the nearly three-month siege of Mariupol, with Russia gaining full control of the city. The defenders, including members of the Azov Regiment, were taken into captivity, and many were later exchanged in prisoner swaps.
LOCATION Mariupol, UkraineACTORS Ukrainian Armed Forces, Azov Regiment, Russian Armed Forces, Donetsk People's Republic#azovstal #mariupol #siege #surrender #russia-ukraine-war
SOURCES (4)
- [1]A year after Mariupol's fall, Azovstal survivor recalls surrender with pain and a sense of purposeNewsday · www.newsday.com/news/nation/a-year-after-mariupols-fall-azovstal-survivor-recalls-surrender-with-pain-and-a-sense-of-purpose-beqwnzqq
- [2]Siege of MariupolWikipedia · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol
- [3]Azovstal Iron and Steel WorksWikipedia · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azovstal_Iron_and_Steel_Works
- [4]MariupolWikipedia · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariupol
EVERY FACT CITED. VERIFY INDEPENDENTLY.