“Hasn’t seen daylight since 27 Feb”: Ukrainians trapped in underground bunker release video

Ukraine’s Azov regiment has released a video purportedly showing its fighters bringing food and other aid to women and children sheltering in one of underground bunkers at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

In the footage, one girl can be heard saying she hasn’t seen the daylight since 27 February – the fourth day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Heartbreaking. “I want to go home, I want to see the
sun”. Mariupol, basement under the Azovstal plant #StopRussia #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/zeWi7gZopV

— Mariana Betsa (@Mariana_Betsa) April 23, 2022

In the video believed to be filmed on 21 April, women and children – seen in a crowded room – can be heard saying they are now running out of food and water, and pleading to be evacuated from the besieged city.

Inside the Azovstal steel plant in #Mariupol, where more than 1,000 civilians (children, women, elderly) were hiding in the basement for almost two months.

Children are playing and keeping each other company but they are saying they want to go home, go outside in the sun 💔 pic.twitter.com/W108b6nNZY

— Asami Terajima (@AsamiTerajima) April 23, 2022

One woman is heard saying more than 15 children are sheltering in the building.

Much of Mariupol has been destroyed in weeks of heavy Russian bombardment and intense street fighting.

Azovstal plant is the last part of Mariupol not under Russian control.