MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. Russian Armed Forces open a humanitarian corridor for evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, operational between 08:00 and 18:00 Moscow time on May 5, 6 and 7, Russian inter-agency headquarters on humanitarian response announced Wednesday.

"In accordance with the decision of the authority of the Russian Federation, acting out of principle of humanism, Russian Armed Forces open a humanitarian corridor [operational between 08:00 and 18:00 Moscow time on May 5, 6 and 7] from the Azovstal plant territory for evacuation of civilians (worker staff, women and children), whose presence in the plant’s underground has once again been stated by Kiev authorities," the statement says.

The headquarters noted that, during this period, Russian and DPR forces will unilaterally suspend all combat activities, the forces will be withdrawn to a safe distance and will ensure safe exit of civilians in any chosen direction - either towards the Russian Federation or to territories under Kiev’s control.