Russia announces ceasefire in two regions to open human corridor for evacuation
Russia on Saturday announced a ceasefire to open a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians in Ukraine. “Today (March 5) at 10 a.m. the Russian side has announced a ceasefire. Humanitarian corridors have been opened for the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha”, Sputnik news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry.
Russian state news agencies reported that the Russian military will observe a ceasefire from Saturday to allow the evacuation of civilians in two regions of Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement carried by RIA Novosti and TAS agencies that it had agreed evacuation routes with Ukrainian troops to allow civilians to leave the strategic port of Mariupol in the southeast and the eastern city of Volnovakha be allowed. There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian forces. It is also not clear how long these routes to leave Ukraine will remain open.
Sputnik also tweeted, “Russia announces ceasefire to open humanitarian corridors for civilians in Ukraine from 6 a.m. local time.”
According to a media report, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said that Russian forces have blocked the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The Russian military launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized separate regions of Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk) as independent entities.
