MARIUPOL: Russian troops removed mines and debris from the industrial grounds of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol on Sunday, after hundreds of Ukrainian troops who had been holed up in the enormous factory for weeks were told to leave.

Soldiers moved into the facility, swinging mine detectors over debris-strewn roadways, while others examined things beneath them for explosive devices, according to video footage.

“The task is huge, the enemy planted their own landmines, we had also planted anti-personnel mines while blocking the enemy. So we’ve got some two weeks of work ahead of us,” explained Babai, a Russian soldier who only offered his first name.

The remaining Ukrainian fighters defending Azovstal surrendered, Russia claimed on Friday.

Ukraine has not verified this, but a commander of one of the factory’s battalions indicated in a video that the troops had been told to leave.

Russian and pro-Russian forces have captured the fighters who locked themselves in the tunnels.

After a series of losses in over three months of battle, Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated a rare win in Mariupol, the largest city Russia has conquered since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Mines were destroyed in controlled blasts at Azovstal on Sunday, and debris was removed from the steelworks’ roadways by military bulldozers.

“Over the last two days, over a hundred explosives have been destroyed. The work continues, “Babai added.

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