UN sends rescue convoy as Ukraine denies Russian truce at steel plant

Russia "violated" a truce it had promised at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, Ukrainian commander Svyatoslav Palamar says in a video posted on Telegram, adding that Russians "broke into the territory of the plant three days ago".

The United Nations on Thursday said a new convoy was en route to evacuate civilians from the "hell" of a besieged steel plant in Mariupol, even as Ukraine accused Russia of breaking its promise to pause fire at the site.

"The Russians violated the promise of a truce and did not allow the evacuation of civilians who continue to hide from shelling in the basement of the plant," Palamar said in a video on Telegram.