The tenacious defence of Mariupol has “completely changed the course” of Russia’s assault on Ukraine, according to an assistant to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Hundreds of Ukrainian militants were believed to have been moved from this last Ukrainian bastion in the ruined city to Russian-held territory nearby after weeks holed up in bunkers beneath the Avozstal steelworks.

The soldiers – including those from the Azov Battalion, whose far-right ties are symptomatic of Vladimir Putin’s disputed allegations of “denazification” – now face an unclear fate, as Russian authorities moved to undercut Ukrainian hopes for prisoner exchanges for members of the unit.

Meanwhile, Moscow appeared to back down on its threats against Finland and Sweden joining Nato, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stating their bids would make “not much difference” because they have been taking part in the alliance’s military training for years.

The Nordic countries voiced “optimism” on Tuesday that Turkey would not veto their bids, following Ankara’s surprising pledge to do so.

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