Russian troops resume air strikes on Azovstal plant - Arestovych

Russian troops have resumed air strikes on the territory of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and are also attempting to carry out assault operations.

Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, said this at a briefing on Saturday, April 23, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The difficult news is that the enemy is trying to finally suppress the resistance of Mariupol's defenders in the Azovstal area. They resumed air strikes on the territory of the plant, on the defense lines of our troops and are attempting to carry out assault operations," he said.

At the same time, Arestovych said that the defenders of the city are holding out despite the difficult situation. According to him, the Ukrainian military is even launching counterattacks.

There are about 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian troops at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, including about 500 wounded. The Ukrainian authorities are demanding that the Russians urgently ensure a humanitarian corridor from the steel plant.

Russia's aggression caused one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol. The invaders are bombing unarmed residents and blocking humanitarian aid.

About 120,000 civilians remain in the besieged city.

Soldiers of the Azov Regiment, Ukrainian Marines and motorized riflemen continue to defend Mariupol.