RUSSIA’S Defence Ministry announced a ceasefire around the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol today, to allow a civilian evacuation from the industrial area sheltering the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the port city.

Russian troops “from 2pm Moscow time (1100 GMT) on April 25, 2022, will unilaterally stop any hostility, withdraw units to a safe distance and ensure the withdrawal of” civilians, said the ministry in a statement.

It said civilians will be taken “in any direction they choose”.

The Ukrainian side should show “readiness” to start humanitarian evacuations “by raising white flags” at Azovstal, it added.

The ministry said this information will be communicated to those inside the area “via radio channels” every 30 minutes.

Russia last week said it has gained full control of the strategic eastern Ukrainian city, except for its huge Azovstal industrial area.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered a blockade of the steelworks, where hundreds of civilians are reportedly sheltering with Ukrainian troops. – AFP, April 25, 2022.