The ambassador of the separatist Lugansk in Russia, Rodion Miroshnik, said that civilians began to leave the territory of the Azot plant in the city of Severodonetsk, Luhansk region, besieged by Russian troops and their auxiliary forces.

In a statement on social media, he indicated that “civilians began to leave through the checkpoint, which is not under the control of the militants”, explaining that “they were received by coalition forces and transferred to a safe place.” noting that “the remnants of Ukrainian formations are several buildings in the area of ​​the First Gate of the plant.

“There are occasional skirmishes. They may still have several hundred civilians held hostage. As the ring around the militants narrows, civilians will be able to leave their shelters. Allied forces are preparing vehicles for evacuation,” Miroshnik explained.

Earlier, Miroshnik revealed that “Azot currently contains about 300-400 Ukrainian militants. They are concentrated near the first checkpoint of the chemical plant. There could be up to 500 civilians who were hiding from the bombing in the factory shelter. There are still civilians, but they are located in other parts of the plant.”

Since February 24, the Russian armed forces have continued to conduct a special military operation to protect Donbass, southeastern Ukraine, as they put it.

Last month, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the complete liberation of the Azovstal steel plant located in Mariupol, Donetsk, after the Russian army managed to take control of the plant’s well-equipped underground facilities where it was hiding. Ukrainian soldiers and units of the Azov regiment.