The Associated Press reported on the 30th (local time) that more than 20 civilians escaped from Azoustal, a steel mill in southeastern Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces are engaged in a final standoff against Russian forces.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have taken refuge in the basement of the building after the Russian army surrounded and attacked the city, but it is reported that water and electricity are cut off, making life difficult.
Russian news agency Rianovosti reported that 19 adults and 6 children had escaped from Azoustal on the same day, according to the AP.
A senior official of the Azou Regiment, which defends Azoustal, said through a telegram video operated by them, 20 civilians, including children and women, had left the factory during the ceasefire.
However, it has not been confirmed whether the 20 people he mentioned are the same people as the 20 people reported by the Russian news agency.
“The wounded people here could not be evacuated,” an Azou Regiment official said.
Saviano Abreu, spokesman for the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, said the UN was discussing the evacuation of civilians there with Russian and Ukrainian authorities, but did not provide further details.
Built during the Soviet era, Azoustal is a large and complex structure, so the underground space does not collapse even under Russian bombing, so Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are hiding.
However, it is estimated that hundreds of civilians are still under the Azoustal, the Associated Press reported.
/yunhap news
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