The Russian military says it will open a humanitarian corridor for civilians to evacuate from the besieged steel plant in Mariupol. The Russian Defense Ministry said a humanitarian corridor will open at 2 p.m (1100 GMT) Monday for all civilians to leave the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. It said Russian troops will cease fire to allow civilians to safely exit the plant. Also read: US promises new aid to Ukraine in fight against Russia The mammoth steel plant, which has a sprawling maze of underground channels. has remained the last bulwark of Ukrainian resistance in the strategic Sea of Azov port city. Ukrainian officials have said that up to 1,000 civilians have sheltered there. They have repeatedly urged Russia to offer them a safe exit. Also read: Zelenskyy meets top-level US delegation, gets aid promises