The buses carrying the Ukrainian soldiers who had been defending the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol have begun arriving in Russian-controlled territory

A convoy of at least seven buses has been seen leaving the besieged city, arriving at a former penal colony near Donetsk.

Neither Russian nor Ukrainian officials have confirmed the arrivals, but a news agency in Russia says its nation’s Investigative Committee plans to question the soldiers.

Moscow says it will be investigating “Ukrainian regime crimes”.

But now the soldiers have been evacuated, what happens from here?

The exact details of any deal made between Russia and Ukraine remain under wraps, but Kyiv has previously indicated its forces will be exchanged for Russian prisoners-of-war.

Moscow is yet to confirm this publicly, with the Kremlin avoiding questions on the prisoners’ status or possible transfer.

Ukrainian officials will be likely holding their breath, with individuals including a senior Russian MP accusing the Ukrainian soldiers of being “Nazis and war criminals”.

The MP has requested their exchange be banned all together, as Russia’s Supreme Court will decide whether to uphold a request to designate the group many of the fighters belong to as a terrorist organisation.

But, despite all of this, Ukraine says it was left with just one option – to save lives.