Irina Vereshchuk, Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, reports on the completion of the evacuation of children, women and the elderly from the Mariupol metallurgical plant Azovstal.
On Saturday, May 7, Vereshchuk announced that the task of the President of Ukraine had been completed and civilians brought out of the basement factory:
“The President’s order has been fulfilled: all women, children and elderly people from Azov have been evacuated. This part of the Mariupol humanitarian operation has been completed.”
Head of the National Defense Control Center of Russia Mikhail Mizintsev “News”reported:
“Today, a humanitarian operation to evacuate civilians from the Azovstal metallurgical plant has been completed. During the period of the operation from May 5, 51 people were saved – 18 men, 22 women, 11 children, including one person on May 7.
Mizintsev stressed that the operation to evacuate citizens was completed thanks to the unprecedented measures taken by the Russian leadership with the active participation of representatives of the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
At the same time, the press service of the Azov battalion, blocked in the basements of the metallurgical plant, refuted yesterday a fake about “surrender with a white flag”:
“From some Internet sources, information is being disseminated that the defenders of Mariupol came to the Russian military with a white flag. In fact, white flags are used by both groups to implement the plan for the evacuation of civilians. So this time, to evacuate citizens from the territory of the Azovstal plant, both groups used such flags. We would like to note that this procedure is being carried out for the fourth time.”
The assault on Azovstal continues. On Saturday, a video message to the Russian president was recorded by Kyiv veterans World War II, calling for the release of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians of Mariupol blocked at Azovstal. And the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhiy Volyn, who, along with other Ukrainian soldiers, continues to defend in the bunkers of the plant, wrote on Facebook:
“It seems like I was in some hell of a reality show where we, the military, are fighting for life, using every chance to save, and the whole world is just watching an interesting plot! Such scenarios are used in films and TV shows. The only difference is that this is not a movie, and we are not fictional characters! This is real life! Pain, suffering, hunger, torment, tears, fear, death – everything is real! What surprises me? Cynicism! Human cynicism has no limits! There are generally accepted rules, they identical for everyone, certified by a bunch of laws, signatures and seals, but they do not work! Then why are they needed? What do I hope for? For a miracle!!! That higher powers (in the broad sense of the word) will find a solution for our salvation And this hellish reality show will end… Higher powers, we are waiting for the result of your actions… Time is running out, and time is our lives!
Yesterday, May 7, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in his video message that a diplomatic way was being discussed to withdraw the Ukrainian military from the underground bomb shelters of Azovstal. The authorities are preparing, together with international organizations, the evacuation of wounded soldiers and doctors from the territory of the plant in Mariupol:
“Thanks to the teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, which helped us carry out the first stage of the evacuation mission from Azovstal. We managed to save more than three hundred people – women, children. In fact, we evacuated civilians from Azovstal. And now we are preparing the second stage of the evacuation mission – the wounded and of doctors. Of course, if everyone fulfills the agreements. Of course, if there is no deception. Of course, we are also working to remove our military. All the heroes defending Mariupol. This is very difficult. But it is important. I am sure that everyone understands the main reason for this complexity and also where this cause is located. But we do not lose hope. We do not stop.”
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