“A group of DPR troops is fighting on the outskirts of Mariupol and entered Volnovakha,” the DPR territorial defense headquarters said in a statement.

The official representative of the People's Militia of the DPR, Eduard Basurin, previously announced a complete blockade of the city.

The republic guaranteed the safe evacuation of Mariupol residents from the city along humanitarian corridors to the west and east.

On March 2, the Russian army took control of the Ukrainian city of Kherson.