Kyiv, May 17 (Agency) The Ukrainian forces on Tuesday early morning announced the end of their “combat mission” in the besieged city of Mariupol. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said, “The ‘Mariupol’ garrison has fulfilled its combat mission. “The Supreme Military Command ordered the commanders of the units stationed at Azovstal to save the lives of their personnel. “The defenders of Mariupol are heroes of our time. They will forever be marked down in history. This includes the special ‘Azov’ unit, the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 36th Separate Brigade of Marines, border guards, police, volunteers, the Territorial Defense of Mariupol.”
The Army further said that it was by concentrating the main forces of the enemy around Mariupol, Ukraine had the opportunity to prepare and create defensive lines. “It provided us critical time to form reserves, regroup forces, and receive assistance from partners. The most important common task of all Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol. We will fight for you on all fronts as faithfully as you defend the state! #stoprussia,” the statement added. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military base about 15 km from the border with Poland was targeted in a Russian missile attack early Tuesday morning, CNN quoted Maksym Kozytsky, the head of the Lviv regional military administration, as saying. According to the Ukrainian Parliament, 229 children have been murdered by the Russian troops since the beginning of invasion on February 24.