Russia Announces Ceasefire Around Mariupol’s Azovstal Steel Plant

The Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday announced a ceasefire around the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to enable civilian evacuation from industrial estates that had protected the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the port city.

Russian troops “from 14:00 Moscow Time (1100 GMT) on April 25, 2022, will unilaterally stop hostility, withdraw the unit to a safe distance and ensure the withdrawal of” civilians, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

It added that the Ukraine had to show “readiness” to start the evacuation of humanity “by raising the white flag” in Azovstal.

According to the ministry, this information will be communicated to those who are in Azovstal “through the radio channel” every 30 minutes.

President Vladimir Putin ordered the Baja Work Blockade, where hundreds of civilians were reportedly protected with Ukraine forces.

Russia last week said that he had gained full control over the strategic city of East Ukraine, except for the large Azovstal industrial area.