Russia has declared a partial ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors out of the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha.
The announcement was made by Russia defence ministry on Saturday.
It said: “Today, March 5, from 10 am Moscow time, the Russian side declares a regime of silence and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha.”
The announcement came after Mariupol’s mayor, Vadim Boychenko, said on Saturday that the city was under “blockade” by Russian forces after days of “ruthless” attacks.
While laying siege to Mariupol for days, Russian forces have cut its electricity, food, water, heating and transportation in the depths of winter, prompting comparisons to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II.
There is no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian forces, and it is not immediately clear how long the evacuation routes would remain open.
Russia invasion of Ukraine has left some parts of the country in ruin, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second former capital was seized by Russia.
Meanwhile peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is still ongoing to forestall the outbreak of a full blown war.