Moscow accuses Kyiv of foiling Mariupol evacuation

Russian army said no one used a humanitarian corridor from the port city's steelworks

Smoke rises above the Azovstal steel works in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on April 25. Reuters

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Moscow on Monday accused Kyiv of preventing civilians trapped with Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks from leaving the besieged industrial centre, despite a ceasefire announcement.

The Russian Defence Ministry had said it would allow civilians to leave Mariupol's sprawling steel plant, which has been sheltering the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the south-eastern port city.

But the Russian army on Monday evening said no one used the humanitarian corridor.

"The Kyiv authorities have again cynically undermined this humanitarian operation," it said, accusing the Ukrainian government of "indifference" towards its citizens.

The ministry had said its troops would stop hostilities from 2pm Moscow time on April 25 and withdraw to a safe distance to ensure free, safe passage for civilians.

It said the women, children and Azovstal staff would be taken "in any direction they have chosen".

The ministry said the Ukrainian side should show "readiness" to start the humanitarian evacuation "by raising white flags".

It said this information would be communicated to those inside Azovstal "via radio channels" every 30 minutes.

A shell fired by a Russian tank strikes an apartment building in the city of Mariupol in south-east Ukraine. AP Photo

Ukrainian officials say Russian forces destroyed Mariupol's drama theatre where hundreds of people were sheltering. AP

The theatre was located in the centre of Mariupol. EPA

The remains of the theatre. Reuters

Mariupol residents pass shells and discarded munitions cases as they try to flee the besieged port city on the north coast of the Sea of Azov at the mouth of the Kalmius river. Reuters

A man pushes a bicycle along a destroyed street in Mariupol. AP Photo

A woman walks past a burning apartment building after shelling. AP Photo

A Ukrainian serviceman and a civilian carry a wounded man who was injured by shelling in a hospital in Mariupol. AP Photo

People lie on the floor of a hospital during shelling by Russian forces. AP Photo

A hospital window is cracked from shelling. AP Photo

A Ukrainian serviceman guards his position in Mariupol. AP Photo

Anastasia Erashova cries as she hugs her child in a corridor of a hospital in Mariupol. AP Photo

People settle in a bomb shelter. AP Photo

Evacuees fleeing Ukraine-Russia conflict sit in the body of a cargo vehicle while waiting to leave Mariupol. Reuters

A fire from a suspected Russian strike is seen on an apartment block on the eastern side of Mariupol. AP

A soldier escapes from an armoured vehicle with a 'Z' marking that was attacked. Reuters

Medical workers hold newborn Alana close to her mother after a cesarean section at a hospital in Mariupol. AP Photo

A Ukrainian serviceman guards his position in Mariupol. AP Photo

Anastasia Erashova cries as she hugs her child in a corridor of a hospital in Mariupol. AP Photo

Premature babies left behind in hospital by their parents. AP Photo

A service member of pro-Russian troops stands guard near a line of cars with evacuees leaving Mariupol. Reuters

People settle in a bomb shelter in Mariupol. AP Photo

A man plays with a baby in a bomb shelter in Mariupol. AP Photo

People use carts to transport their belongings in Mariupol. Reuters

Mariana Vishegirskaya walks down stairs in a maternity hospital damaged by shelling in Mariupol. AP Photo

Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman from a maternity hospital. The baby was born dead. Half an hour later, the mother died too. AP Photo

Oleksandr Konovalov, an ambulance paramedic, attends to an injured woman. AP Photo

Ukrainian emergency employees work at a maternity hospital damaged by shelling in Mariupol. AP Photo

Russia last week said it had gained full control of the strategic eastern Ukrainian city, except for the huge industrial area.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a blockade of the steel works, where hundreds of civilians are reportedly sheltering with Ukrainian troops.