Azovstal is the last section of Mariupol unoccupied by Russian troops. The city has been under blockade since the beginning of March. Soldiers of the Ukrainian regiment “Azov” have been holding the defense of the territory of the plant “Azovstal” for more than two months.

Through the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities, the UN and the Red Cross, hundreds of civilians hiding there were taken out of the plant. The last help waiting for the fighters “Azov”. They report that they are suffering significant losses, food and other resources are running out.

According to Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Irina Vereshchuk, there are about a thousand military personnel at Azovstal, their situation is deteriorating every day, many of them are unfit for combat.

A field hospital has been set up on the territory of the plant. Judging by the photographs from there, very complex operations are carried out there, in particular, amputation of limbs.

A petition has been launched on the Internet calling on the UN to make efforts to evacuate the Azov residents from the plant. By Wednesday, it had garnered nearly a million and a half signatures.

The defenders of Mariupol firmly stated that they did not intend to surrender, but were ready to leave the city with their own weapons, provided that an agreement on this was guaranteed by third countries.

Also on Wednesday, in the Vatican, the wives of two Azovstal fighters met with the Pope. They asked the pontiff to participate in the fate of those who still remain on the territory of the plant. According to some information, besides “Azov”, about a hundred civilians may still remain there.

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate turned to Patriarch Kirill with a request to assist in organizing a safe corridor for the retreat of the defenders of Mariupol.

In response to Russian propaganda claims that the Azov Regiment soldiers are always hiding behind civilians, many note that the Azovstal defenders asked for help only after the complete (or almost complete) evacuation of the civilian population.

Apparently, qualified doctors also remain on the territory of Azovstal.

The Azov unit was formed in May 2014 in Mariupol from 70 volunteers. In September of the same year, it was deployed to the regiment, and in November it was transferred to the National Guard of Ukraine. At that time, the number of “Azov” was already about 800 people.