'The place of my death and my life': Images capture soldier's final moments inside Azovstal plant

telegraph.co.uk: A Ukrainian soldier has shared poignant photographs from his final moments in Mariupol’s Azovstal steel works which he captioned “the place of my death and my life”.

Before his surrender, Dmitry Kozatsky, a soldier of the Azov Regiment, shared what might be the final image taken by a Ukrainian soldier inside the plant.

"Well, that's all. Thank you for the shelter, Azovstal,” he wrote.

The Azov Battalion's three-month resistance against the Russian army in the city of Mariupol and its steelworks has become a major rallying point for Ukraine.

The UK Ministry of Defence said that although an estimated 1,700 had now surrendered their resistance had severely dented Russia's war plans.

Dmitry Kozatsky has shared what is likely to be the last photographs from the steel plant

"Staunch Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol since the start of the war means Russian forces in the area must be re-equipped and refurbished before they can be redeployed effectively," it said. "This can be a lengthy process when done thoroughly."

Most of the Ukrainian prisoners captured in Mariupol have been taken to camps in rebel-held Donetsk, although 89 have been sent to Russia.

Remaining soldiers prepare for final stand

An unverified video posted by a pro-Russia Twitter user showed what appeared to be a visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross to Ukrainian prisoners in Donetsk. Most of the Ukrainian prisoners in the video appear thin and dirty but uninjured and are still wearing their military fatigues. They tell the Red Cross representative that they need fresh clothes and underwear.

But some Ukrainian soldiers stayed in the steelworks and are preparing a final stand.

In a Twitter video Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, a commander of the Azov Battalion, taunted his Russian attackers.

"Me and other commanders are still in the Azovstal plant. A certain operation is going on but I won't disclose its details" he said. "Thank you to the whole world and thanks to Ukraine for the support. See you!"