Commander glad for steel mill evacuations

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - The deputy commander of the Azov Regiment says he's glad evacuations had begun at a steel mill where civilians and fighters have holed up in the last section of Mariupol not controlled by the Russians.

The Azov Regiment is helping defend the Azovstal steel mill. Deputy Commander Sviastoslav Palamar said Sunday he hopes the evacuation will continue until all civilians and soldiers are evacuated.

Palamar says the area is strewn with rubble, mines, rockets, artillery shells and unexploded cluster ordinance.

And he says the presence of children and civilians makes it harder to fight.