President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the authorities are preparing the second stage of the evacuation of people from the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol. In an evening address to the people, he said that, together with international organizations, he was working to save the wounded, doctors and the Ukrainian military, who had been heroically defending the city for 73 days..

The President expressed gratitude to everyone who took part in the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal and noted that the next stage of the operation would be more difficult due to the constant provocations of the occupiers.

“Thanks to the teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations who helped us carry out the first stage of the evacuation mission from Azovstal. Managed to save more than 300 people - women, children. In fact, we withdrew civilians from Azovstal. And now we are preparing the second stage of the evacuation mission - the wounded and the doctors. Of course, if everyone fulfills the agreements. Of course, we are working to take out our military. All heroes defending Mariupol. It is very difficult. But important. I am sure that everyone understands the main reason for this complexity, and also where this reason is located..

But we do not lose hope,"

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Earlier, representatives of the Azov Regiment denied the Russian fake about “surrender” and explained what the white flag used during the evacuation of the civilian population from Azovstal meant.

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