Captain Svyatoslav Palamar, commander of Azov’s regiment, said in an Easter message on Sunday that Russian forces were continuing to bombard the besieged city of Mariupol.

They ignored the need for evacuation of civilians and encircled Ukrainian forces.

He said, “Christ is Risen, dear Ukraine.”

“Today is a big day but even so, the enemy continues to drop aerial bombs, ships fire artillery, cannons fire, enemy tanks continue to hit, infantry tries to assault.”

Palamar said, “We would like to thank those who are trying to help the civilians of Mariupol to evacuate from this dangerous area, with actions, not just words.”

Adding to it, “I thank those who are making every effort to withdraw our military from the encirclement, who were left alone with the overwhelming forces of the enemy.”

The Azov Regiment, is a Ukrainian army unit that began as an ultra-nationalist volunteer battalion but has now been integrated into the Ukrainian military.

Along with other Ukrainian forces, Azov soldiers have been holding out at Mariupol’s beleaguered Azovstal plant.

Russian military were “continually attacking” the surrounded Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol on Easter Sunday, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.

Around 100,000 civilians require evacuation from the city, but it has ruined due to Russian bombardment.