Shmyhal: We work with UN to organize second humanitarian corridor from Azovstal

Ukrainian authorities work closely with the UN to organize a second humanitarian corridor to evacuate people from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

"We work very closely with the United Nations to help organize a second corridor to evacuate civilian women and children from the plant's territory," Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said during a press conference in Warsaw, answering a question from an Ukrinform correspondent.

The Prime Minister stressed that the President of Ukraine maintained intensive contacts with the UN Secretary-General on the issue, and he himself communicated with the UN Under-Secretary-General.

According to Shmyhal, Russia continues to attack Azovstal, and Ukrainians heroically repel these attacks.

"Unfortunately, there are still a large number of wounded, civilians. Two days ago, two women died at Azovstal," the Head of Government said.

He reminded that 156 people had been evacuated from Azovstal during the first humanitarian corridor. About 200 people are still there.

“We work non-stop to take them out. In addition, we work tirelessly to resolve the issue of how to save the lives of our servicemen, to bring all those who currently stay at Azovstal back to [the government-controlled territory of] Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.

He added that the situation at the plant was extremely difficult, many wounded stayed there. However, the Ukrainian military holds the defense heroically.

"Today, the whole world is on our side, providing moral support. We work to save these people," the Head of Government summed up.

As reported, the Azov Regiment fighters defending Mariupol called on the international community to evacuate civilians from the Azovstal steelworks and urged Ukraine’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief to take care of the wounded soldiers.

On May 3, 156 residents of Mariupol, who had been hiding in Azovstal bunkers, arrived in Zaporizhzhia. On Thursday, the UN and the Red Cross sent another humanitarian convoy to evacuate civilians from the plant.

Photo credit: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

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