The separatists in eastern Ukraine, backed by Russia, have launched an attack on the last pro-Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol.
The paramilitary far-right Azov battalion members have entrenched themselves with mercenaries in a steel factory.
“Our goal is to liberate the factory as soon as possible,” said separatist leader Denis Pushilin. It is not known how many soldiers are in the factory.
The Russian Defense Ministry called on the last of the pro-Ukrainian fighters to surrender. If they stop fighting at 12:00 (11 am Dutch time), they can safely leave the factory in the afternoon, provided they leave all weapons behind, the ministry said.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky said that peace talks would be cut short if Ukrainian soldiers were killed. He said the military continues to fight to defend Mariupol from the Russians.