Large parts of Sievjerodonetsk are in ruins after being in focus for the fighting in recent weeks. Ahead of Wednesday morning, Russia called on the Ukrainian forces, which had taken refuge in Azot, to lay down their arms, which they did not obey.
Hundreds of people have taken refuge in the bunkers under the chemical plant. According to Ukraine, more than 500 civilians, including 40 children, are there.
UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Aid, OCHA, is preparing to help those trapped in the city. But due to the intense fighting, the UN does not have secure access to the needy.
– The lack of water and sanitation is very worrying. It is a big concern for us because people can not live long without water, says Saviano Abreu who is the spokesperson for OCHA to BBC.
There is also a shortage of food and access to healthcare is limited.
– If they have to rely on uncertain sources, it will lead to health complications. We must as soon as possible ensure that the people who are still there have access to water, says Saviano Abreu.
Russia has promised to open a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians from the chemical plant on Wednesday, but in the afternoon no confirmation had yet been received that a safe route had been established.
“Both parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, so there is no choice – they must ensure that people who want to leave the city can do so safely,” said Saviano Abreu.
The pro-Russian separatist Rodion Miroshnik, ambassador to Moscow for the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, accuses Ukrainian forces of disrupting the evacuations from Azot.
At Azot, the militia is trying to disrupt the evacuation! “From the ground of the facility, militias have started firing from a grenade launcher and a tank”, he says via Telegram according to the BBC.
Sievjerodonetsk mayor Oleksandr Stryuk claims that Ukraine still has control over the city’s industrial area even though Russian forces are trying to storm the city from several directions.
“Efforts are being made to repel the enemy to the city center. It is a permanent situation with some success and tactical retreat in some places “, he says via Telegram according to the BBC.
According to the mayor, the city is still not completely cut off even though bridges have been destroyed.
– The escape routes are dangerous, but there are some, he says on TV according to Reuters.
Oleksandr Stryuk believes that the people in the bunkers survive on water from wells and food that has been brought into the chemical plant. At the same time, he claims that the situation is critical.
Meet on Wednesday Defense Ministers of NATO member states in Brussels to discuss enhanced military assistance to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is “extremely focused on stepping up support” and at the start of the meeting, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the invasion was at a crucial moment.
– We can not afford to let go and we can not lose speed. The stakes are too high, he told Reuters.
Read more:
NATO countries will send more and heavier weapons to Ukraine
Sources: This is how Sweden misjudged the Russian war threat