LBCI

Russia accuses Ukraine of preventing civilians from leaving Azovstal plant in Mariupol

Middle East

26-04-2022 | 01:29

Share

Share

Russia accuses Ukraine of preventing civilians from leaving Azovstal plant in Mariupol

3^min

Russia accused on Monday the Ukrainian authorities of preventing civilians holed up with Ukrainian fighters in the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine, from leaving despite the Russian army's announcement of a ceasefire.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces and Ukrainian fighters, who are loyal to Moscow pledged to unilaterally stop hostilities at 14:00 Moscow time (1100 GMT), withdraw units to a safe distance and ensure the departure of civilians "in the direction they choose."

The ministry explained that the people allowed to go out are women, children and factory employees.

"If there are still civilians in the factory, we are clearly asking the Kyiv authorities to order the (Ukrainian) nationalist groups to release them," it said.

In the evening, the Russian military announced in a statement that at 5 pm GMT, "no one used the suggested humanitarian corridor."

The Russian military confirmed that "the Kyiv authorities have once again recklessly undermined this humanitarian operation," accusing the Ukrainian regime of "open indifference" to the fate of its citizens.

It is worth mentioning that the steel plant is the last remaining Ukrainian outpost in the port city, which has been obstructed by Russian forces for much of the last weeks of attack.

While the buildings of the steel plant were largely destroyed on the roof, a vast network of underground halls enabled the Ukrainian fighters to hold out.

From his side, Russian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy assured that around a thousand civilians and hundreds of wounded are still holed up in the plant amidst catastrophic conditions and suffering from food and water shortage.

On this subject, Russia has repeatedly demanded the surrender of fighters in Azovstal, which it describes as foreign extremists and mercenaries.

From its end, Ukraine has warned that it will cut off negotiations with Russia if the last of its fighters in Azovstal were killed.

Breaking Headlines

Russia

Ukraine

Azovstal

Mariupol

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

News Bulletin Reports

13:12

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

Ceasefire in question: Israeli cabinet divided while Gaza tensions soar

News Bulletin Reports

2025-04-25

Ceasefire in question: Israeli cabinet divided while Gaza tensions soar

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

News Bulletin Reports

13:11

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

Ministry of Education: Rescheduling of written and oral colloquium exams for certain specializations

2025-07-04

Ministry of Education: Rescheduling of written and oral colloquium exams for certain specializations

Videos

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

1

Mixed signals from US envoy Tom Barrack: Lebanon-Israel mediation stirs politics; Hezbollah 'pushes back'

Lebanon-Syria tensions rise as Damascus steps up pressure over detainee issue

2

Lebanon-Syria tensions rise as Damascus steps up pressure over detainee issue

Surveillance towers on the southern border? Lebanon weighs UK plan amid Israeli concerns

3

Surveillance towers on the southern border? Lebanon weighs UK plan amid Israeli concerns

US envoy Tom Barrack clarifies Syria remarks: Not a threat to Lebanon, but a vision for coexistence

4

US envoy Tom Barrack clarifies Syria remarks: Not a threat to Lebanon, but a vision for coexistence

US backs $100M Super Tucano support for Lebanon in key show of military aid

5

US backs $100M Super Tucano support for Lebanon in key show of military aid

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

6

Lebanon’s water paradox: Taps run dry while water 'flows away'

Israeli army claims strike killed Hezbollah member in Lebanon's south

7

Israeli army claims strike killed Hezbollah member in Lebanon's south

Lebanese Army denies claims of militant infiltration and troop withdrawal in Bekaa

8

Lebanese Army denies claims of militant infiltration and troop withdrawal in Bekaa

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More