Guwahati: Russia announced a ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors to be opened to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha, both in war-torn Ukraine on Saturday.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said, “Today, on March 5, starting at 10 a.m. Russia is declaring a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors are opening for civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha.”
According to the ministry, the corridors and evacuation routes have been agreed upon with Ukraine
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko had informed that Russian military have blockaded Ukraine’s coastal city of Mariupol.
It needs to be noted that Mariupol is strategically important to Russian forces because it allows them to control a land corridor connecting Crimea and southern Russia.
Since President Vladimir Putin’s forces entered Ukraine on February 24, hundreds of civilians have been killed, and Europe’s largest atomic power facility has been attacked. Western governments have condemned the invasion and imposed harsh penalties.
It needs to be mentioned that Ukraine is to hold the third round of negotiations with Russian officials to try to cease the violence, which has been going on for more than a week.