Russia blames Ukraine as Sievierodonetsk evacuation plan fails
- Up to 1,200 civilians may be taking shelter in the city’s sprawling Azot ammonia plant
- Russia accused Ukrainian troops of violating a ceasefire, disrupting escape plan
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Russia tells Ukraine to end ‘senseless resistance’ and lay down arms in fight for Sievierodonetsk
Russia’s defence ministry accused Ukrainian forces of disrupting efforts to allow civilians to escape from a chemical plant in an eastern Ukrainian city where a battle has been raging for weeks.
Russian forces are trying to grind down Ukrainian resistance in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, part of a wider push to drive Kyiv’s forces out of two separatist regions which Russia backs and has recognised as independent states.
Russian-backed separatists say up to 1,200 civilians may still be taking shelter in the sprawling Azot ammonia plant.
Moscow said it had opened a humanitarian corridor from the plant on Wednesday to allow civilians to escape to Russian-controlled territory. It accused Ukrainian troops of violating the ceasefire and effectively using civilians as human shields.
“There are no obstacles for civilians to leave … except for the decision in principle by the Kyiv authorities themselves,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine has denied Russian claims that it uses civilians as human shields.
