Small group of civilians evacuated from Mariupol steel plant

Some civilians were evacuated from Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant on Saturday, as Maxar Technologies' satellite images showed the besieged complex has been all but destroyed after weeks of Russian shelling.

Why it matters: While some women and children were confirmed by Ukrainian and Russian officials to have been evacuated from the plant, it's believed hundreds of civilians are still trapped in the last foothold of Ukrainian resistancein the port city.

Satellite imagery showing destruction at the steel plant and in the surrounding area. Photo: Maxar Technologies.

• The civilians sheltering in the southeastern Ukrainian plant have hardly any access to food or water, AP notes.

Details: Ukrainian officials said some 20 civilians were evacuated during a cease-fire, while Russian state media put the number at 19 adults and six children.

The big picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin last week ordered his forces to cease assaults on the facility. Instead, he told them to block it off and starve out the remaining Ukrainians soldiers, who have repeatedly refusedRussia's demands to lay down their arms.

• Since that order, Russian troops have continued assaults against the plant, according to Ukrainian officials.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that peace negotiations with Russia would end if the last defenders of Mariupol are wiped out.

Of note: The Red Cross said this weekthat it was "deeply alarmed" by the situation in Mariupol and called for an "immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access" to the city to allow for safe passage of civilians and the wounded.

• Previous humanitarian corridor and evacuation negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have failed.
• Satellite images recently published by Maxar and Planet Labs show that at least three mass grave sites have been dug in villages outside of Mariupol.

Sources

Axios

MSN

London Evening Standard

 

[Donald]

Forwarded to public release. Good work.