Russian troops would cease fire at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (8:00 a.m. CET), reports the Russian news agency Interfax. Mariupol is located on the Azov Sea, Volnowakha in the east and also in the Donetsk region. Civilians could leave the encircled cities during this time, it said.
The strategically important port of Mariupol is under a Russian “blockade” after days of “reckless” attacks, according to Mayor Vadym Boichenko of before Moscow’s announcement. “At the moment we are looking for solutions to the humanitarian problems and possible ways to free Mariupol from the blockade,” Boichenko said on Saturday on the Telegram messenger service.
“Our priority is to establish a ceasefire so that we can restore vital infrastructure and set up a humanitarian corridor to bring food and medicine to the city,” Boichenko said.
Boichenko’s deputy Sergei Orlov spoke to the BBC on Friday about a “terrible” humanitarian situation in Mariupol after the city of 450,000 had been shelled for more than 40 hours. Orlov also accused Russian forces of attacking schools and hospitals. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to “destroy Ukraine as a nation,” he said.
Mariupol is near the former front line between pro-Russian separatists from eastern Ukraine and the Ukrainian army. Taking the port city would allow Russian troops to join forces with units from Crimea and Donbass.
Source: Nachrichten
