"Russia Declares Temporary Ceasefire in Two Southern Ukraine Locations" (Update)

Temporary Ceasefire to Establish Civilian Evacuation Route

On the 3rd (local time), an apartment complex in the city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine was indiscriminately bombed by Russian forces, causing flames to rise. The Russian military is reported to be surrounding the strategic stronghold of Mariupol and conducting concentrated bombings on key facilities such as railways. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] Russia has declared a temporary ceasefire in two locations, including Mariupol in southern Ukraine, to allow for the evacuation of civilians.

According to major foreign media on the 5th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a temporary ceasefire starting at 10 a.m. (local time) and stated that humanitarian corridors would be established for civilian evacuation in Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine and Volnovakha in the east.

The Mariupol city authorities also announced that a civilian evacuation corridor would be open for five hours starting from the morning of the same day. Since invading Ukraine on the 24th of last month, Russian forces have effectively besieged Mariupol, a major city in Ukraine.

Volnovakha in Donetsk Province is another area where civilian casualties have increased due to Russian shelling. In response, the Ukrainian side has also demanded the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in this area.

Earlier, Russia and Ukraine agreed during their second talks on the 3rd to open humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuation and to maintain a ceasefire around these corridors.