Russia promises to open humanitarian corridor from Azot chemical plant

The Russian army says it will establish a humanitarian corridor tomorrow to evacuate hundreds of civilians from the Azot chemical plant in the city of Severodonetsk.

“Guided by the principles of humanity, the Russian armed forces and the formations of the Luhansk People’s Republic are ready to organize a humanitarian operation to evacuate civilians,” the Russian defense ministry says.

The humanitarian corridor will be in place between 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and 8 p.m. Moscow time tomorrow, the defense ministry says, adding the evacuees will be transported to the city of Svatovo in the separatist-held region of Luhansk.

Moscow also urges “militants of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries” at the plant to “stop senseless resistance” and lay down their arms.