Volodymyr Zelensky asks for help from UN help to rescue people trapped inside Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol

Kyiv: Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday asked the United Nations to help for rescuing wounded trapped inside the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, reported AFP. Meanwhile, over 300 people were evacuated from the besieged port city. During his address to the nation, Zelensky said that 344 people were evacuated from Mariupol and nearby areas.

These people were taken to the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is still under Kyiv’s control. The Red Cross called for renewed efforts to continue evacuations from the region. according to reports, a fierce battle is underway at the Azovstal plant. Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers are holed up inside the plant.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has announced a ceasefire at the plant for opening a humanitarian corridor for civilians. The ceasefire will begin on Thursday and will continue for three days. “The Russian armed forces will from 8 am to 6 pm (0500 GMT to 1500 GMT) on May 5, 6 and 7 open a humanitarian corridor from the territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant to evacuate civilians,” reported the news agency quoting the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.

Russia has started bombing Mariupol since the first week of its invasion of Ukraine. Moscow began its military operation in the neighborhood on February 24 this year. According to reports, around 20,000 civilians were killed in the war. Notably, Russia declared victory in Mariupol last week.

Mariupol is in South-eastern Ukraine and is located on the north coast of the Sea of ​​Azov. The city holds strategic importance for both Russia and Ukraine. The city is considered to be a metallurgical center for iron and steelworks. The city is also part of Vladimir Putin’s “Novorossiya”. The Russian President termed the invasion of Ukraine as “de-Nazification”.