Zelenskyy says around 100 civilians evacuated from Mariupol

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the first group of around 100 civilians has left the Azovstal steel plant in the port city of Mariupol.

"Evacuation of civilians from Azovstal began. The 1st group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area. Tomorrow we'll meet them in Zaporizhzhia," he tweeted. Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia lies some 220 kilometers (130 miles) to the northwest of Mariupol.

The UN had earlier confirmed that an evacuation operation was underway at the besieged plant, where some 1,000 civilians are believed to be holed up.