Russia could agree to the evacuation of the military from Azovstal in order to proclaim Mariupol taken as soon as possible. The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) came to this conclusion..
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Ukrainian intelligence (GUR) reported that the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian Defense Ministry is hastily preparing a press tour for foreign journalists in the occupied territories of Ukraine from May 18 to 21.
The ISW also speculates that the Kremlin may also have agreed to such an agreement to ensure victory, to stave off criticism on social media about Russian forces' failed crossing of the Seversky Donets and the overall slow pace of the invasion..
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Recall that at least seven buses with Ukrainian defenders under the control of Russian invaders left the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. The evacuation mission is still ongoing.