Russia will open a humanitarian corridor for civilians who want to leave the Azovstal steel plant south of the city of Mariupol, reports the Russian news agency Interfax.

According to the Russian side, the ceasefire entered into force at 11 o’clock, while many civilians will have the opportunity to leave Azovstal, Telegrafi reports.

Between 300 and 1,000 civilians are reported to have been trapped inside the plant, along with recent Ukrainian defenders in this part of the city of Mariupol.

Some of the plant’s underground bunkers have been used by Ukrainian civilians since late February – when Russian occupation of Ukraine began.

On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian soldiers to block the factory, from which not a single “fly” can leave without their approval.