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Smoke was seen rising above Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol where Ukrainian troops are holding out against Russian forces

Russia has reportedly called on Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries to leave the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol by midday Russian time (0900 GMT).

"All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive," the defence ministry said.

It called on troops to withdraw from the steel plant between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time "without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition".

Earlier on Tuesday, Russia-backed separatist forces said they were trying to storm the Azovstal steel works and take control of it as quickly as possible.

Ukrainian authorities said on Monday that no fewer than 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal plant, adding that Russia was dropping heavy bombs onto the Ukrainian-held factory in the besieged city.

Read the full story here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/19/russia-dropping-bunker-busting-bombs-mariupol-civilians-hiding/

Read our latest coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/19/ukraine-news-russia-war-latest-putin-moskva-donbas-lviv/

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