"There are now about 1,000 civilians and 500 wounded soldiers. All of them must be removed from Azovstal today!", said Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk.

She called on world leaders and the international community to focus their efforts on Azovstal.

"Now this is an overriding point and a pivotal moment for the humanitarian effort!" Iryna Vereshchuk emphasized adding that this is now a key point and a key moment for the humanitarian effort.