Russia announced a ceasefire near two Ukrainian towns on Saturday to allow the evacuation of civilians, but the offensive continued in the rest of the country. country, especially towards the capital Kiev.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the opening of humanitarian corridors near the towns of Mariupol and Volnovakha which were surrounded by its troops, Russian news agency RIA reported.
In Mariupol, residents would be allowed to leave for a period of five hours, the agency said, citing city officials.
The Ukrainian government said the plan called for the evacuation of around 200,000 people from Mariupol and 15,000 from Volnovakha. The Red Cross is the guarantor of the ceasefire.
The effective implementation of this ceasefire was not confirmed at this stage and its potential extension to other regions and its duration were not immediately clear as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia enters its tenth day.
The Russian Defense Ministry said a major offensive would continue in Ukraine, according to RIA.
Aid organizations have warned of a humanitarian disaster as food, water and medical supplies run out and refugees flood into western Ukraine and neighboring European countries.
In the port city of Mariupol, in the south-east of the country – a strategic point – there is no water, no heating, no electricity and food is running out, according to Mayor Vadim Boïtchenko.