TEMPORARY ceasefire by Russian forces will allow for the opening of humanitarian corridors in two Ukrainian cities.

Russia’s defence ministry has today announced a temporary ceasefire from two cities in south-eastern Ukraine, Mariupol and Volnovakha, opening of humanitarian corridors for civilians from 10:00 Moscow time (07:00 GMT).

A partial ceasefire by Russian forces around the Ukrainian city of Mariupol will allow civilians to leave the city during a five-hour period from this morning, the city authorities said.

Civilians will be allowed to leave Mariupol between noon and 5 p.m. Moscow time (0900 – 1400 GMT), Russia’s RIA news agency quoted city authorities as saying.

Separately, the Mariupol city council said in a statement that civilians will be able to proceed towards the city of Zaporizhzhia and will be able to use specially arranged bus routes as well as their own cars.

Saturday’s evacuation will be the first of several stages, it said.

“Given that our hometown is constantly under ruthless fire from the occupiers, there is no other solution,” the statement quoted Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying. 

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