lots of children under the rubble. others in shelters. the journey out of the besieged city is slow and dangerous but every day, relatively small numbers are leaving whatever way they can along what are supposed to be agreed corridors. a local official said some people have been fired upon. others have had their vehicles seized at russian check points. the people at mariupol have no good options. stay and endure the horror of russia's bombardment or face danger and uncertainty, leaving all they know behind. ukraine's defense minister said the people defending mariupol are saving lives all over the country. they're slowing russia's advance by drawing its fire. with the invading force yet to claim a single major city, the desperate battle for mariupol has taken on symbolic importance for both sides of this war. wolf? >> phil black reporting for us. thank you very, very much. the fighting has sent millions of people fleeing with nearly