A UN convoy is expected in Mariupol despite the uncertain environment
A new United Nations (UN) convoy is expected to evacuate the last civilians in the strategic port of Donbass, Mariupol, the last part of the Ukrainian opposition, at the Azovstel Steelworks on Friday.
Despite uncertainty over a ceasefire at the Battle of Mariupol, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths announced on Thursday that a new convoy was heading to the martyr city, which has become one of Russia’s landmarks. The invasion began on February 24 in an attempt to evacuate civilians trapped in the Azovstal factory.
“As we speak, a convoy is due to arrive at Assault tomorrow morning in the hope of rescuing the remaining civilians from this dark hell in which they have lived for weeks and months and bringing them back to safety.”, Mr. Griffiths said in Warsaw. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed its involvement.
During an evacuation organized with the UN and the ICRC, one hundred civilians were already able to leave the premises last weekend.
Information about the condition of Mariupol Steelworks, where civilians and militants live rooted in large underground galleries, was paradoxical. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky said in his daily video message late Thursday that Russian forces were still attacking the steel plant despite Russia’s commitment to a three – day ceasefire that began Thursday morning.
The Russian bombings continue to rage “Civilians still need to be evicted, women, children”he said. “Imagine this hell! And there are children! More than two months of incessant bombings, death continues to approach.He added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday evening “Russian military always ready to ensure evacuation of civilians” The complex could house up to two hundred more at the Azovstal plant, which was captured by Ukrainian militants.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that the Russian military respects the ceasefire around the plant and that there will be humanitarian corridors around Azovstale. “Worked” ; The Ukrainian militants at the scene refused. Svyatoslav Palmer, deputy commander of the Azov regiment that protects these installations, promised in a video. “Bloody Wars” The Russians were walking inside the site “Promise not kept” Ceasefire.