A mosque in Ukraine’s southern port city of Mariupol has been shelled by Russian forces.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry says more than 80 civilians including Turkish citizens were seeking safety.
‘The mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roxanna in Mariupol was shelled by Russian invaders.
‘More than 80 adults and children are hiding there from shelling, including citizens of Turkey,’ the ministry posted on its Twitter account.
Local Turkish community in Mariupol has been hiding in the mosque since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
It’s still unclear if Muslims of other nationalities are also seeking shelter there.
The Imaam, Mehmet Uce, a Turkish citizen told AFP before the siege that the building is strong.
Its basement had been prepared for food stocks and emergency supplies.
Turkey has been helping its citizens leave Ukraine via buses and trains since Russia’s invasion began.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said 13,719 citizens had been evacuated.
Mariupol has been under siege and bombardment for more than a week and is surrounded by Russian troops.
The death toll in the city surpassed 1,500 during 16 days of attack, the mayor’s office said.
A Russian strike on Mariupol maternity hospital killed three people sparking international outrage and war-crime allegations.
