MOSCOW — Russian forces besieging the steel works complex in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Saturday oversaw emergence of 25 persons from the shell-pounded facility, the Russian news agency Novosti said.

Among them were 19 adults and six children, the news agency reported without mentioning what would be their destination and whether there was an understanding to take them out of the complex, besieged by Russian troops and pro-Moscow separatists since weeks ago.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres proposed during a meeting he held with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow three days ago forming a liaison group to oversee moving civilians trapped at the surrounded steel complex.

Russia declared on April 26 taking control of Mariupol and its key port, and it was reported that Putin ordered the Russian forces surrounding the complex to abstain from storming it to avert heavy casualties.

According to Russian military sources, there are some 2,000 Ukrainian troops and "foreign mercenaries" entrenched at the steel works.

Moscow announced on February 24 launching a "special military operation" in Ukraine. — Agencies