Mariupol residents unable to use humanitarian passages - DPR militia spokesman

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Mariupol residents have been unable to use humanitarian passages opened for the civilian population, Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) militia spokesman Eduard Basurin said on Thursday.

"As for the humanitarian passage we opened for departure of the civilian population [from Mariupol], people are not allowed through, they are being stopped," Basurin said on the Rossiya-24 television channel (VGTRK).

"We have to wait for a few days until the situation is resolved. The special operation has shown that targeted strikes are possible, the civilian population will not be hurt but the enemy inside the city will be demoralized and will begin to surrender," Basurin said.

Mariupol has water, food, and electricity problems, he said.

More than 100 Ukrainian servicemen have surrendered, they are receiving assistance and have a chance to speak with their families, Basurin said.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the DPR forces had blocked Mariupol.

According to Basurin, Volnovakha is being cleared and a number of sites are being demined. Control over Volnovakha will be announced shortly, he said.