 By May 19, 1942 the regular fighting in the area was over, and, to ensure the evacuation of the Soviet troops across the Strait of Kerch, a defense group was left in Adzhimushkay, led by Colonel .The group absorbed retreating soldiers, along with numerous civilians fleeing the city, and eventually grew to several thousand strong.When it became obvious that the bridgehead over the strait could not be held, the Adzhimushkay group found refuge in the catacombs.