Officials accuse Russia of violating the temporary ceasefire
Officials halted the planned evacuation of civilians from the Ukrainian-controlled Azov Sea port city Mariupol on Saturday, accusing Russia of continued shelling despite a promise to provide safe passage.
Russia recognizes Mariupol as part of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), which broke away from Ukraine shortly after the 2014 coup in Kiev. However, the city itself has been held by Ukraine.
Moscow announced a temporary ceasefire to allow residents to leave the city, which is blockaded by Russian forces, through agreed humanitarian corridors. However, Mariupol City Council said shortly after 12:40pm local time that the evacuation had been “postponed.”
“The Russian side doesn’t abide by the ceasefire and has continued to shell Mariupol and its surroundings,” the council said in a brief statement on social media. The council added that the evacuation will resume once the ceasefire is restored.
The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, insisted that it had secured a safe passage on the humanitarian routes from Mariupol and nearby Volnovakha.
https://ift.tt/73dBaUL 05, 2022 at 04:55PM
from RT – Daily news