Ukrainian troops begin evacuating from Azovstal site

Ukrainian troops in the last stronghold in the country's besieged port of Mariupol have begun evacuating, appearing to cede control of the once-prosperous city to Russia after a long siege. This comes as Turkey opposes Sweden and Finland's wish to join NATO, and as McDonalds and Renault pull out of Russia.

Source: AFP

The military force besieged in the last Ukrainian stronghold in the port of Mariupol have begun evacuating, appearing to cede control of the city to Russia after months of bombardment.  Five buses carrying troops from the Azovstal steelworks have arrived in the Russian-controlled town of Novoazovsk, some 32 kilometres to the east.  Some of the evacuated troops were wounded and carried out of the buses on stretchers. Meanwhile, Turkey's president has declared he won't support a bid from either Sweden or Finland to apply for NATO membership, shutting down any attempts from delegates to make a case.  The exodus of Western businesses from Russia continues, with the departure of fast food giant McDonald's and  French car maker Renault nationalising its Russian assets.