The Russian army said on Friday it had "fully liberated" the Azovstal steel plant in the strategic city of Mariupol, in southeastern Ukraine, after the surrender of the last Ukrainian soldiers present there.

• Read also: [LIVE] 86th day of war in Ukraine: here are all the latest developments

• Read also: Canada bans trade in luxury goods with Russia, sanctions 14 other people

• Read also: Putin orders to break technological dependence on foreign countries

“Since May 16, 2,439 Nazis from the Azov (regiment) and Ukrainian servicemen stuck in the factory have surrendered. Today, May 20, the last group of 531 fighters surrendered,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement posted on Telegram.

According to this source, Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed by his Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu of "the end of the operation and the complete liberation of the combine (Azovstal) and the city of Mariupol".

Igor Konashenkov assured that the chief of the fighters of the Azov regiment on the spot had surrendered and had been evacuated from the factory in a “special armored vehicle” to prevent him from being attacked by hostile inhabitants.