The Russian Ministry of Defense said two groups of civilians, a total of 46 people, left residential buildings adjacent to the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's Mariupol on Saturday, adding they were provided with accommodation and food, RIA reported.

Ukraine earlier claimed that 20 civilians, including women and children, have been evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks, Ukrinform news agency reported, quoting Azov Battalion Deputy Commander Sviatoslav Palamar.