MOSCOW, March 7./TASS/. Nationalists in Mariupol open fire on civilians who try to leave their homes, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told journalists on Monday.

The situation in Mariupol is very difficult, as the civilians who have escaped from the city say. "People are hiding in basements. Since there is no electricity and gas in their homes, they have to cook their meals on fire in the street. Militants disperse them. Nationalists open fire on all civilians trying to leave their houses," Konashenkov said.

According to the spokesman, people in the city write with paint on the walls and doors "Don’t shoot - children are here!" However, the Nazis use the terrorists’ tactics, deploying their fire units exactly there, he stressed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for assistance from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He said Moscow had no plans for an occupation of Ukrainian territories. The sole purpose is the country’s demilitarization and denazification. The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces are not attacking cities. Their focus is entirely on military infrastructures.