OREANDA-NEWS The Russian Armed Forces announced the suspension of hostilities in the area of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, this was announced by the head of the National Defense Control Center of Russia Mikhail Mizintsev, Russian media Izvestia reports. He noted that the Russian military is opening a humanitarian corridor and introducing a «silence regime» for the exit of civilians who may be at the plant.

«The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the DPR formations at 14:00 cease hostilities for the exit of civilians who may be on Azovstal», Mizintsev said.

The head of the DPR Denis Pushilin said earlier that there are about 400 foreign mercenaries on the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. According to him, the Ukrainian military may attempt a breakthrough from the plant, but the Russian troops have enough forces and means to stop it.

On April 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to cancel the storming of the Azovstal industrial zone in Mariupol. The Head of State called this step inappropriate and noted that it could lead to a large number of casualties among the Russian military. Instead, according to him, it is necessary to resort to blocking and again offer the defenders to lay down their weapons.