On Saturday, a partial ceasefire was reached between Russia and Ukraine so that humanitarian corridors were opened for civilians to leave the cities Volnovakha and Mariupol.
Russia’s defense ministry announced that a partial ceasefire was declared by Russia on Saturday in order to allow humanitarian corridors from the Ukrainian cities Volnovakha and Mariupol.
“From 10am Moscow time (7am UK time), the Russian side declares a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha,”Russian news agencies quoted the Russian defense ministry as saying.
This comes as the war enters its 10th day, with Russian troops bombarding European cities and besieging them in the largest attack on an European state since World War Two.
Over 1 million people have fled the fighting, prompting a torrent of sanctions against Moscow that is increasingly isolating it and raising fears among West about a larger global conflict that has gone unreported for decades.
Moscow claims its invasion of Ukraine is a “special operation”To capture people it considers dangerous nationalists and denies targeting civilians.
According to the Ukrainian state service for special communications and information protection, Russian forces are focusing their efforts on Kyiv and Kharkiv (the second-largest cities) and aiming to create a land bridge to Crimea.
Kyiv was in the path of the Russian armoured columns that have been blocked outside the Ukrainian capital for several days. There has been renewed attack with blasts heard from the centre of the city.
Russian forces also attacked and shelled Mariupol, a major prize in the region. According to Mayor Vadym Boysenko, there is no water or heat and electricity. Food is also running out.
“We are simply being destroyed,”He said.
The actions of President Vladimir Putin have been almost universally condemned. Many countries have imposed harsh sanctions as punishment to avoid a wider conflict.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian President, is expected to ask Washington for more assistance in a Zoom Call with the entire US Senate at 2.30pm (UK Time) on Saturday.
As lawmakers rush to pass a bill to ban Russian energy imports, the United States weighs cutting imports of Russian oil as well as ways to minimize the impact on global supplies.
NATO allies reacted to Ukraine’s appeal for no fly zones during a meeting that took place Friday. They stated they were increasing support, but could not step in directly.
“We have a responsibility … to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine because that would be even more dangerous, more devastating and would cause even more human suffering,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
