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Russian forces need 3-4 days to wrap up operation at Azovstal steel plant — Shoigu

According to the Russian Defense Minister, in the past several days, the Russian forces have been able to evacuate over 100 civilians from the plant’s adjacent territories

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. Russian troops need about three-four days to complete their operation at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu reported to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

"As for those who have entrenched at the Azovstal plant, [they] are totally blocked there along the entire perimeter. We need about three-four days to complete this work at Azovstal," the defense chief said.

On the Russian president’s instruction, Russia has prepared humanitarian corridors over the past few days for civilians who could be staying on the plant’s premises and declared a ceasefire, Shoigu said.

"We prepared about 90 buses and 25 ambulances for them, naturally, bearing in mind that the situation was constantly distorted, and we installed video cameras. The situation was broadcast actually live to our command center. No one exited Azovstal," the defense chief said.

"In the past several days, the Russian forces have been able to evacuate over 100 civilians from the plant’s adjacent territories," Shoigu said.

"Currently, the situation in the city [Mariupol] is calm and allows starting measures to bring order, provide for residents’ return and establish peaceful life," the Russian defense minister said.