Putin hits steelworks as children and elderly hide in fear

ABOUT 1,000 women, children and the elderly cowered in concrete bunkers under a shattered steel plant in Mariupol as Russian forces attempted to storm it.

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Many of the civilians have sought shelter in a warren of underground tunnels at the Azovstal plant since the beginning of the invasion in February.

Backed by air strikes, yesterday's assault on the huge complex was an attempt to eliminate the last pocket of resistance in the besieged port city, a strategic target in the Kremlin's plans to unite the Donbas region with Crimea.

Up to 2,000 Ukrainian troops are inside the plant having pledged to mount a last stand and carry out counter attacks.

The resumed assault represents a reversal from an order Vladimir Putin gave three days earlier to lay siege and starve those left in the plant out.

Attacks were also carried out in eastern Ukraine and Odesa.

And yesterday, in a phone call Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky updated Boris Johnson on the situation.

A No 10 spokesman said: “Both leaders condemned ongoing attacks by Russian after more forces against civilian targets, including in Mariupol, Odesa and Lviv.

“Ahead of the UN Secretary General's meetings with President Zelensky and President Putin next week, both leaders agreed on the importance of establishing a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to leave Mariupol."

He added the Prime Minister said "Russia would be held to account for its actions", the UK would help collect evidence of war crimes, work with partners to develop a long-term security solution for Ukraine and provide further financial support.