According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, this action was the result of negotiations with representatives of the Ukrainian military personnel blockaded on the territory of the metallurgical plant.

It indicated that in order to facilitate the transfer of the wounded, a cease-fire regime was implemented on the territory of the steel plant and a humanitarian corridor was set up.

The Russian Ministry of Defense explained that through this corridor these people will be taken to a medical center in the locality of Novoazovsk, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, where they will be provided with all the necessary assistance.

On April 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to cancel the assault on Azovstal and the blockade of that industrial zone, from which only civilians would be allowed to leave, as well as military personnel who agreed to lay down their weapons.

Russia began a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, after the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics requested its help to repel the increased attacks and intense bombing by Kiev.

Earlier, Moscow recognized the independence and sovereignty of both territories and signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders, which included the establishment of diplomatic relations and military assistance.

In his speech to inform about the beginning of the operation, the Russian leader said that the goal is to protect the population of Donbas from Kiev’s abuses and genocide over the past eight years, as well as to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine.

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