The deadline of a Russian ultimatum demanding the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Mariupol has passed with no sign that the troops have complied.
The final Ukrainian holdouts, reportedly accompanied by one thousand civilians, have taken shelter in the city's massive Azovstal steel plant.
A local Ukrainian commander has warned his troops can hold out for just days or hours.
But Kyiv says there is a tentative deal to rescue some civilians from the city.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister wrote on Facebook that women, children and the elderly would be allowed to leave Mariupol under the deal.
It's understood that Ukraine hopes to send 90 buses to evacuate about 6,000 people today.
About 100,000 people remain trapped in Mariupol.