Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered soldiers to blockade Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol instead of storming it.

In a statement made to his defence minister, Putin said there was "no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities".

Instead, he called for a "block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape," in the televised meeting.

Russian troops have reported over 2000 Ukrainian soldiers are currently taking cover in the extensive underground bunker in the steel plant.