Russia has taken full control of Mariupol, except the final part of the Southern city. Around one thousand civilians, along with several hundred Ukrainian soldiers, are trapped in the Azvostal steel plant in Mariupol, an important port city of Ukraine and the biggest port city on the Sea of Azov, facing attack by Russian forces. According to available sources, around twenty five civilians managed to leave, but others remained inside the plant, which was blocked off after the capture of the city by the Russian force a week ago. But there is little progress on this, though Russia has ordered its forces to refrain from storming into the plant, an industrial area that covers around 4.25 square miles.
Of course, different efforts are going on for freeing civilians from the captivation in the plant. Ukrainians made efforts to evacuate civilians. Moreover, talks are going on between the parties for freeing civilians trapped in Mariupol, an area that Russia renders important for making a land corridor from Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014) to Donbas, in which heavy fighting is going on. Besides, other parties such as the United Nations and the European Union talked to Russia on the matter. The positive side is that Russia has in principle agreed after the meeting between the President of Russia and the General Secretary of the United Nations to give a humanitarian corridor coordinated by the United Nations and International Committee for Red Crescent for civilians to leave the plant.
But it is important to note that the situation is dire in the besieged plant, one of the largest metal works factories in Europe, which requires immediate evacuation. According to available sources, trapped civilians are in between life and death at present. What’s more, there is a lack of food, water and medicines. It is reported that many in the Azvostal steel plant are wounded who need immediate treatment. It is pertinent to say that the safety of civilians is undeniable during the war. Indeed, there are different international treaties and conventions that clearly support civilian safety including the Fourth Geneva Convention during the war. Yet, there is no notable progress in providing humanitarian corridors needed for the civilians to leave the besieged plant, despite assurance and efforts.
Of course, bombardments are a major obstacle to the evacuation. Indeed, there are reports that bombing takes place in the steel plant area. By this time, efforts to secure cease-fires, which are needed for making a safe humanitarian corridor, ended due to bombardments in the area. Also, the initiative of Ukrainians to evacuate civilians from the plant was thwarted. But there are controversial claims on this: while Ukraine blames Russia for thwarting the effort, Russia blames Ukraine. Bombardments also made the plant area dangerous for rescuers to carry out evacuation operations. Indeed, the ICRC claimed the danger on the ground earlier. As a consequence, providing any humanitarian assistance to the civilians trapped inside the plant and evacuating them still remains difficult.
It is desired that the evacuation of civilians be ensured. Russia should provide a safe corridor, as it principally agreed, for civilians to leave the besieged plant, no matter whether evacuation activities are coordinated by the United Nations and the ICRC, there is a ‘’Humanitarian Contact Group” consisting of Russia, Ukraine and UN officials for opening a humanitarian corridor, or there is any other agreeable procedure for the evacuation of civilians. Of course, an effective cease-fire is very important in this respect and talks are, at the same time, immediately needed. High-level talks and engagements are needed with the governments of Russia and Ukraine to save and evacuate civilians from the plant.
Nota bene: The editorial views expressed are written by the Editorial Team (the Chief Editor) of Dhaka Opinion Magazine.
