Russia has said nearly 700 more Ukrainian fighters surrendered in Russian-held Mariupol as it shored up a key gain in the south, while the United States became the latest Western country to reopen its embassy in Kyiv.

Ukraine has ordered its garrison in Mariupol to stand down, but the ultimate outcome of Europe’s bloodiest battle for decades remains unresolved.

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Top commanders of Ukrainian fighters who had made their last stand at the Azovstal steelworks in the port city are still inside the plant, according to the leader of pro-Russian separatists in control of the area, Denis Pushilin, quoted by local news agency DNA on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian officials decided to decline to comment publicly on the fate of the fighters.

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Addressing a news conference, military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzaynik said, “The state is making utmost efforts to carry out the rescue of our service personnel.”

“Any information to the public could endanger that process.”

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On Tuesday, Ukraine confirmed the surrender of more than 250 fighters but did not say how many more were inside.

On Wednesday, Russia said an additional 694 more fighters had surrendered, bringing the total number to 959. Its defence ministry posted videos of what it said were Ukrainian fighters receiving hospital treatment after surrendering at Azovstal.

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Red Cross and the United Nations were involved in talks, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said, but gave no details.

Mariupol is the biggest city Russia has captured so far and allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim a rare victory in the invasion it began on February 24.