Russian forces opened a humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian troops who agreed to lay down their arms and evacuate the besieged city of Mariupol on Tuesday, according to Moscow.

The vital Sea of Azov port city has seen some of the most intense fighting in Russia’s military assault.

“The Russian armed forces opened a humanitarian corridor for the withdrawal of Ukrainian military personnel who voluntarily laid down their arms and militants of nationalist formations,” the defense ministry said, adding the safe corridor was opened at 2:00 pm (1100 GMT).

To that end, Russian forces and troops of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic “halted any military activity” around the Azovstal steelworks plant, Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defense Control Centre, said in a statement.

The ministry said the decision was made taking into account the “catastrophic situation” at the plant and “purely humanitarian principles”.

Humanitarian convoys have been deployed in “three directions” that include buses, cars and ambulances to transport and treat people.

Temporary accommodation and first aid facilities have also been set up, the ministry said.

Moscow urged Kyiv authorities to put pressure on the military “to stop the senseless resistance”.

“But realizing that the commanders of Ukrainian units may not receive such orders and commands from the Kyiv authorities, we urge them to make such a decision on their own and to lay down their arms,” the ministry said.

Mariupol serves as a land link between Moscow-controlled eastern Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula, which the Kremlin has annexed.