Russian forces have begun bombing the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine, as Ukrainian troops used the truce declared there to relocate to better locations, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.
“A ceasefire was declared, civilians had to be evacuated from the territory of Azovstal. Ukrainian soldiers and (Azov) battalion at the factory took advantage of it. They came out of the basements, took firing positions on the ground and in the factory buildings,” he added. Ministry of Defense in its announcement, according to RIA.
“Now units of the Russian army and the Donetsk People’s Republic, using artillery and air force, are beginning to destroy these firing points,” the Russian ministry said in a statement.
I’m relieved to confirm that the safe passage operation from Mariupol has been successful.
The people I traveled with told me heartbreaking stories of the hell they went through.I’m thinking about the people who remain trapped. We will do all we can to assist them. pic.twitter.com/mEqTTKZKA8
– Osnat Lubrani (@OsnatLubrani) May 3, 2022
At least 100 civilians were reportedly evacuated from Azovstal and relocated to Zaporizhia safely, Ukrainian Vice President Irina Verestsuk said. However, she said that hundreds of other people are trying to escape the facility and have no way out.
Ms. Verestsuk also said that there are at least 40 seriously injured Ukrainian soldiers in Azovstal who are in urgent need of medical attention because their lives are in danger.
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