Guwahati: Russia will hold fire and open humanitarian corridors in Ukraine’s capital areas of Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Sumy from 0700 GMT (12.30 pm IST) today, Interfax news agency cited Russia’s defence ministry as saying.
The move comes on French President Emmanuel Macron’s request, added Sputnik. Russia continues heavy shelling in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kyiv on the 13th day of its invasion into Ukraine.
Russia announced a ceasefire in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sumy from 12.30 pm IST on Monday. The humanitarian corridors are being set up at the personal request of French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia’s defence ministry said.
Efforts to evacuate civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol failed for a second time today due to repeated ceasefire violations. Residents in the city are without power and water.
A barrage of Russian missiles destroys Vinnytsia airport in central Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Three civilians, trying to flee Irpin, were killed by mortar fire, reports BBC.
“In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not only a military operation but a war which is leading to death, destruction and misery,” said Pope Francis, rejecting the term “military operation” that Russia has used to describe its actions.
Global streaming entertainment service Netflix, top accounting firms KPMG and PWC, and financial services firm American Express all cut ties with Russia as the conflict with Ukraine escalated.
Police detained more than 4,600 people at Russia-wide protests against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to an independent protest monitoring group.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he will achieve his goals in Ukraine “through negotiation or through the war”.
Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold the third round of negotiation talks on Monday.
Ukraine will ask the United Nations’ top court on Monday to issue an emergency ruling requiring Russia to stop its invasion, arguing that Moscow’s justification for the attack is based on a faulty interpretation of genocide law.
(Inputs From Sputnik)
