01/05/2022 14:34 (act 01/05/2022 14:34)
Several people managed to leave the area around the steel mill. ©REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
According to Moscow, a total of 46 civilians were evacuated from the area around the besieged Azovstal steelworks in the Ukrainian port of Mariupol.
Russian agencies initially reported on Saturday that 25 people had left the factory premises in the completely destroyed metropolis in the Sea of Azov during the day. As night fell, another 21 people fled from houses adjacent to the plant, according to the Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday.
46 people evacuated at Mariupol Azov Steel Plant
The Ukrainian Azov regiment, whose fighters also entrenched themselves in the steel mills, recently spoke of 20 women and children being evacuated. According to Ukrainian information, a total of around 1,000 civilians reportedly sought refuge in the steel mill’s bunkers and are now trapped. Russia speaks of about 2,500 Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries who are said to have hidden there along with civilians.
Another evacuation attempt from Mariupol
The city administration announced another evacuation attempt from Mariupol to the city of Zaporizhia, which is controlled by Ukrainian troops, for the afternoon (15:00 CEST). The agency asked everyone to contact friends and relatives in Mariupol and report on the action, which is not limited to those arrested at the steel mill.