The remaining Ukrainian troops holed up in Mariupol's besieged Azovstal steelworks have been ordered by Kyiv to stop fighting, a commander of a battalion leading the trapped units said Friday.
"The higher military command has given the order to save the lives of the soldiers of our garrison and to stop defending the city," Denys Prokopenko said in a video on Telegram.
An "ongoing process" was underway to remove killed fighters from the plant, he added.
The soldiers, blockaded in the giant steelworks for weeks, have become a symbol of Ukraine's fierce resistance to Russia's invasion.
The comments came as Moscow said 1,908 Ukrainian troops trapped in the factory have surrendered since Monday.
Prokopenko said the priority was now to transfer the fallen from the plant.
"We have always insisted on three of the most important conditions for us: civilians, wounded and the dead," he said.
Civilians were evacuated from the underground tunnels of the plant by a UN-led operation and Prokopenko said wounded fighters had received help.
He said only the "killed heroes" remain.
"I now hope that soon, the families and all of Ukraine will be able to bury their fighters with honours," he said.
Ukraine hopes to exchange the Azovstal soldiers, now in Moscow's hands, for Russian prisoners.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Take Stock Of Policies Inciting Hatred": Russia To US After Trump Attack New UK Defence Minister Visits Ukraine On First Trip Abroad, Pledges More Support Video: How Ukraine's 'Special Branch' Drone Downed Russian One Amit Shah Meets PM, UP BJP Chief Offers To Quit Over Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post Are Doors Still Open For Nephew Ajit? Sharad Pawar Said This Karnataka High Court Gives Bail To 3 Murder Accused In Gauri Lankesh Case Consumption, Private Investment: The Twin Challenge For Budget FY25 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.