Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Russian Defense Ministry said a total of 150 civilians were used as a human shield in Mariupol while the Ukrainian nationalists opened fire on the Donetsk People's Republics (DPR) fighters from behind the civilians' back. World News | Ukrainian Nationalists in Mariupol Used Civilians as Human Shield, Opened Fire on DPR Fighters: Russian Defense Ministry.