1,800 Ukrainian fighters hiding in the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol have surrendered as of 16 May 2022. However, information collected by Russian debriefers suggests that the number is closer to 2,500 Ukrainian army soldiers on site, including 804 Azov regiment banderites.

Civilians who were able to leave the factory testified that they had been used as human shields by the banderites.

The Russian authorities have vowed to release the regular soldiers, but consider the banderites to be terrorists. As such, they will be tried for the crimes they have committed since 2014.

Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has indicated he will push for a law banning the exchange of Azov battalion members for Russian prisoners.