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The Russian Defense Ministry said this afternoon that it is ready for a humanitarian ceasefire at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, which is Kiev’s last stronghold in the strategic port, on condition that the Ukrainian soldiers surrender.
Yesterday the Russian army said it had taken control of the strategic eastern part of the city, except for the giant Azovstal industrial zone, writes the DefensePost network.
President Putin has ordered the closure of the plant, which, along with Ukrainian troops, is reported to house hundreds of civilians.
“We reiterate that Russia is ready at any moment to launch a regime of calm and declare a humanitarian ceasefire for the evacuation of civilians,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
It added that the ceasefire should start with the raising of white flags by Ukrainian forces “on the entire perimeter, or in certain areas of Azovstal.”
“If such signals are found in the areas of the Azovstal metallurgical plant, the Russian armed forces will immediately stop fighting to ensure a safe exit,” the statement added.
According to the ministry, civilians will be escorted to territories either controlled by Russia, or controlled by Ukraine, of their choice.
The lives of the surrendered Ukrainian soldiers are “guaranteed”, it is further said.
“This statement will be communicated to the Ukrainian formations in Azovstal on all radio channels every 30 minutes,” the ministry said.
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