Ukraine war: 50 civilians evacuated from Mariupol, but Russian assault continues
- The UN-brokered rescue of residents is taking place amid reports that Moscow’s troops are still firing on the area despite a promised ceasefire
- Ukrainian officials believe Russia is planning a May 9 military parade in Mariupol, possibly with prisoners on display
Fifty civilians were evacuated on Friday from Mariupol’s besieged steelworks, the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance against Russian forces in the city, Kyiv said, but reports of renewed firing cast doubt on a promised truce.
About 200 civilians, including children, had been estimated to still be trapped in the Soviet-era tunnels and bunkers beneath the sprawling Azovstal factory, along with a group of Ukrainian soldiers making their last stand.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who announced Friday’s evacuation of the 50, said the operation would continue on Saturday morning.
Russia had earlier announced a daytime ceasefire at the plant for three days, starting Thursday.
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Ukraine’s Azovstal steel plant under heavy siege before Russia announced a ceasefire
But the Ukrainian army says Russian “assault operations” have continued by ground and by air.
Ukraine’s Azov battalion, leading the defence at Azovstal, accused Russian forces of firing during an attempt to evacuate people by car. The strike killed one Ukrainian fighter and wounded six others, it said.