“The situation there continues to be difficult ... First of all, this is due to the fact that more than 200 civilians can be forcibly held in the underground premises of the enterprise by the Azov Nazis,” he said in a comment to RIA Novosti.
The Russian Defense Ministry previously reported that on May 5, 6 and 7, from 08:00 to 18:00, the military will open a corridor for the evacuation of civilians from the plant.
The armed forces of Russia and the forces of the DPR will cease hostilities and withdraw to a safe distance so that civilians can go “in any directions they choose”, both to the territory of Russia and to areas controlled by the Kyiv authorities.
On May 1, another 80 civilians held by Ukrainian nationalists were rescued from Azovstal.
After the evacuation, they were provided with accommodation and food.
In two days, 101 civilians left the territory of Azovstal.