BREAKING: #Russia Announces Ceasefire In #Ukraine – #UkraineRussianWar——The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Russia has declared a humanitarian corridor and a ceasefire from 10 a.m Moscow time for the exit of civilians from #Mariupol and #Volnovakha.
Russia’s defense ministry announced a ceasefire Saturday to allow residents of two Ukrainian cities that were surrounded by Russian forces, including the strategic port city of Mariupol, to evacuate
Mariupol, a southern city of about 450,000 people on the Azov Sea, will begin evacuations at 0900 GMT, city hall announced on social media on Saturday in a message that added, “it will be possible to leave the city by private transport.”
“A huge request to all drivers leaving the city, to contribute as much as possible to the evacuation of the civilian population – take people with you, fill vehicles as much as possible,” the statement said.
The announcement said the evacuation would last over several days to allow the entirety of the civilian population to exit the city.
In the statement, city officials told residents leaving in private vehicles that it was “strictly prohibited” to go off course from the evacuation routes.
Municipal buses were also departing from three locations in the city to help people leave, the message said.
“This is not an easy decision, but, as I have always said, Mariupol is not its streets or houses. Mariupol is its population, it is you and me,” mayor Vadim Boychenko was quoted as saying in the statement.
With Russian troops surrounding the city, he said, “there is no other option but to allow residents – that is, you and me – to leave Mariupol safely,” he said.