Russian Defense Ministry: over 150 Ukrainian soldiers laid down arms

MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - More than 150 Ukrainian army servicemen have laid down their arms and surrendered, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

"Over 150 servicemen of different military units of Ukraine laid down their arms and surrendered during the fighting," Konashenkov said.

They include 11 servicemen from the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 53rd separate mechanized brigade near Mykolaiv, he said.

"Furthermore, one of the marine units of the 36th separate marine brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces contacted the command of the people's militia of the Donetsk People's Republic and requested a passage to leave the republic's territory. After they surrender their arms, they will be able to return to their families as well," Konashenkov said.

After the situation in the area of fighting stabilizes, "all Ukrainian servicemen who have surrendered will be sent back home," he said.