Zelensky And Red Cross Plead For Evacuations From Besieged Mariupol Steel Plant

Topline

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Red Cross on Sunday called for civilian evacuations from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, the last remaining stronghold of Ukrainian defenders in the southern Ukrainian port city that holds symbolic and strategic significance to both sides.

Key Facts

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement it is “deeply alarmed” by the humanitarian situation in Mariupol, and requested “immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access” to the city, specifically calling for access to the Azovstal plant, where an estimated 1,000 civilians are trapped.

A small group of Ukrainian fighters are in the plant with the civilians, heavily outmanned by Russian troops surrounding the area, and the Institute for the Study of War think tank assessed Saturday the Russian forces are “likely attempting to starve out those remaining within the facility.”

In a tweet, Zelensky said he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the “need for immediate evacuation of civilians from Mariupol, including Azovstal” ahead of Erdogan’s Monday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Key Background

Mariupol, a city with a pre-war population of about 400,000 and the largest trading port in southeastern Ukraine, quickly became a key focus in Russia’s offensive and has largely been reduced to rubble during the two months of fighting. Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko estimated last week at least 10,000 civilians have died during the invasion, and humanitarian efforts to evacuate civilians and provide supplies have repeatedly failed in the city. Boychenko’s advisor Petro Andryushchenko said in a Telegram post Russian forces “thwarted” an effort to evacuate civilians from Mariupol Saturday, echoing prior accusations by Ukrainian officials that Russian troops have attacked humanitarian corridors. Putin claimed victory in Mariupol Thursday despite Ukrainian troops’ ongoing defense at Azovstal, a claim the U.S. called “disinformation.”

Crucial Quote

“The city is almost wiped out. People are living without elementary conditions—without food, without water supply, without electricity,” Igor Zhovkva, an advisor to Zelensky, told NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning. Zhovkva called Putin’s earlier claims of controlling the city “false” in the interview, clarifying Ukrainian forces have not surrendered.

What To Watch For

A Sunday meeting between Zelensky, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Zelensky said Saturday the U.S. officials will visit Kyiv, and the two are the highest-ranking Americans to visit the country since the war began. The Pentagon and State Department haven’t commented on the two officials’ purported trip.

Further Reading

Here’s Why Mariupol Is Such A Prized Target For Russia (Forbes)

Ukraine marks Orthodox Easter with prayers for those trapped (Associated Press)

Photos: In The Shadow Of War, Ukrainians Observe Orthodox Easter (Forbes)