Kiev: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Selensky has called for a long – term ceasefire to ensure the safe evacuation of those trapped in Mariupol. He added that many people, including women and children, were still trapped in the area.
Following the failure to capture the capital, Kiev, Russian forces intensified their offensive in eastern Ukraine, including Mariupol. Russia has announced the capture of Mariupol on April 21, after weeks of violence.
The United Nations and the Red Cross have evacuated about 300 people from various parts of Ukraine. Authorities say about 200 Ukrainian civilians and soldiers are still trapped in bunkers at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
Russia has announced that it will suspend military operations near the steel plant for two days to evacuate those trapped. Selensky also said that Ukraine was ready to ensure a ceasefire in Mariupol. Under the current circumstances, it would take time to get those trapped in the bunkers out, Selensky said. Russian military commander Denis Prokopenko claimed that Ukrainian troops were fighting the Russian army inside the plant.