Russian troops in 'Z tanks' move in on last remaining district in besieged Mariupol

FOOTAGE shows Russian troops in 'Z tanks' and armoured vehicles heading towards the Azovstal industrial district, the only area in the besieged port of Mariupol still controlled by Ukrainian forces.

The battle for Mariupol appeared on Tuesday to be reaching a decisive phase, with Ukrainian marines holed up in the Azovstal district.

Should the Russians seize Azovstal, they would be in full control of Mariupol, the lynchpin between Russian-held areas to the west and east.

Reuters journalists accompanying Russian-backed separatists saw flames billowing from the Azovstal district, as service members were loading ammunition into armoured vehicles before heading to the frontline.

The city has already been laid waste by weeks of Russian bombardments that have killed possibly thousands of civilians.