Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the Russian leadership refuses to release the servicemen surrounded at Azovstal, and is ready to swap only captives.

"The diplomatic way has led to the fact that civilians have all been removed today from the blockaded Azovstal plant. As for the military, the leadership of the Russian army and the political leadership of Russia do not want to let our military out," Zelensky said.

According to him, negotiators from Turkey, Israel, and Switzerland were invited to help on this issue. "The French Republic has tried to resolve the issue, as well as the UN and representatives of the ICRC leadership," he said.

"Russia only swaps prisoners of war for prisoners of war. That's the situation. This is a response from the Russian Federation," he said.