Ukrainian Civilians Describe Desperate Efforts to Flee Bombed-Out Mariupol

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine—Civilians trapped for weeks in the rubble of Mariupol and other towns occupied by Russian forces are trickling into Ukrainian-controlled territory after sometimes long and traumatic journeys, while Russia continues its offensive in Ukraine’s east and targets the strategic port city of Odessa.

A group of civilians from Mariupol, including around 100 who were trapped in the besieged Azovstal steel plant, were due to arrive at a processing center in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian-held city in the country’s southeast, on Tuesday morning after a two-day journey through territory held by Russian forces.