More than 260 Ukrainian combatants, including some who were severely injured, were evacuated from a steel plant in the devastated city of Mariupol on Monday (local time) and transported to territories under Russian control, according to the Ukrainian military.

Vice-Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar reported that 53 severely wounded fighters were sent to a hospital in Novoazovsk, east of Mariupol. An additional 211 combatants were evacuated along a humanitarian corridor to Olenivka. She stated that an exchange would be arranged for their return home.

Malyar reported that missions are ongoing to rescue the last militants within the facility, the last bastion of resistance in the devastated southern port city.

"Thanks to the defenders of Mariupol, Ukraine gained crucial time to form reserves, reorganize its forces, and receive assistance from its allies," she stated. "They completed all of their duties. However, it is impossible to deblock Azovstal with armed force."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that the fighters were evacuated from Azovstal to a separatist-controlled area to save their lives. He noted that the "severely wounded" were receiving medical care.

"Ukraine needs living Ukrainian heroes. Our guiding concept, "he stated. "The work continues to bring the men home, and it requires patience."

The defenders of the steel mill left as Moscow suffered another diplomatic blow in its war with Ukraine when Finland and Sweden decided to pursue NATO membership. In addition, Zelenskyy complimented soldiers who, according to reports, pushed back Russian forces near the border.

Monday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a deal for the wounded to be treated in a town held by pro-Moscow separatists.

After dusk on Monday, several buses backed by Russian military vehicles left the steel factory.

The status of the wounded as prisoners of war was not immediately known.