Mariupol Attacked by Russia: "Over 200 Civilians Trapped in Steel Plant"

Vadim Boychenko Mayor "More than 200 remain at Azovstal Steel Plant"

Residents of the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol arrived in Zaporizhzhia by evacuation bus on the 31st of last month (local time). Most homes in Mariupol have been destroyed due to the Russian military's siege attacks, and residents who have not yet been able to leave the city are suffering from shortages of food, tap water, and electricity. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] It is reported that more than 200 civilians remain at the Azovstal steel plant in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which was damaged by Russian military bombings.

On the 3rd (local time), according to major foreign media, Vadym Boychenko, mayor of Mariupol, said in an interview with Ukrainian state TV, "More than 200 civilians are still trapped in Azovstal."

The Azovstal steel plant is the last stronghold of the Ukrainian forces defending Mariupol, including the 36th Marine Brigade and the Azov Regiment. In addition to Ukrainian troops, hundreds of civilians have taken refuge here.

Mayor Boychenko stated, "Civilians remain in Azovstal, but enemy shelling and airstrikes resumed yesterday, and the Ukrainian military continues to defend Mariupol."

The Ukrainian government, together with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has begun evacuation operations for civilians who fled to the Azovstal steel plant. However, it has been confirmed that about 100 civilians who left Azovstal are still staying in Berdyansk, which is occupied by Russian forces.

Mayor Boychenko said on the same day, "The evacuation convoy has departed from Berdyansk toward Zaporizhzhia," adding, "Because the evacuation operation is still ongoing, we can only provide very limited information." He continued, "It is still difficult for evacuees to leave Russian-occupied areas and come to Ukrainian-controlled territory," and "About 2,000 evacuees, including those who escaped from Azovstal, are stranded in Berdyansk."