Ukrainian Soldiers Lay Down Arms at Mariupol’s Azovstal Steel Plant

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol laid down their arms at the Azovstal steel plant, appearing to cede control of the strategic southern port city to Russia after months of bloody battle that ended with a dramatic siege at the sprawling complex where soldiers and civilians took refuge.

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said evacuations of Ukrainian fighters—now prisoners of war—from the steel factory had begun. On Monday, Russia’s government said it had agreed with Ukraine to allow the evacuation of wounded Azovstal fighters.