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Ukrainian forces hold Severodonetsk residents hostage in Azot plant basements — statement

Mizintsev underscored that Ukrainian forces continue using critically importance industrial objects for military purposes, using civilian population as human shields

MOSCOW, June 9. /TASS/. Ukrainian militants forcefully hold hundreds of Severodonetsk residents hostage in basements of the Azot plant in Severodonetsk, having rigged chemical substances tanks with explosives, which they intend to detonate during retreat, Russian National Defense Control Center head Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev said Thursday.

He underscored that Ukrainian forces continue using critically importance industrial objects for military purposes, using civilian population as human shields.

"According to the available verified information, Ukrainian militants forcefully hold hundreds of Severodonetsk residents and Azot plant employees hostage in underground areas of the plant. Meanwhile, the nationalists rigged tanks containing hazardous chemicals with explosives, which they intend to detonate during retreat," Mizinstev said.