Mariupol evacuation on hold as Russia violates ceasefire in Ukraine: Report

Ukrainian authorities have delayed plans to evacuate the Azov Sea port city of Mariupol on hold, citing that Russia violated the ceasefire agreement, CNN reported. 

Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the eastern Donetsk region, tweeted “EVACUATION OF PEACEFUL POPULATION FROM MARIUPOL POSTPONED!”, and added “Due to the fact that the Russians do not observe the regime of silence and continue shelling of Mariupol and its environs, for security reasons, the evacuation of the population has been postponed”. 

A partial ceasefire agreement had been reached, with the humanitarian corridor being opened for a five hour period, Reuters reported citing TASS, the Russian state-run news agency. 

The Mariupol city council instructed civilians to make their way towards the city of Zaporizhzhia, saying they could use both buses and their individual vehicles. 

Also Read | UK to speed up sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war, says PM Boris Johnson

Mayor Vadym Boychenko, of Mariupol, said in a statement, “Given that our hometown is constantly under ruthless fire from the occupiers, there is no other solution”, Reuters reported. 

A little before the reported ceasefire violation, Iryna Vereshchuk, the Ukrainian Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, released a statement addressing the Russian troops, CNN reported. 

Vereshchuk said, “Our military report that in the area of ​​the declared route [of the evacuation corridor] Russian troops are using the ceasefire and moving forward. I would like to address the Russian authorities and say the following: We have agreed about ceasefire through the Red Cross, using international conventions. There should be no advance of Russian troops. We use this channel to evacuate civilians — women, children, and also to deliver humanitarian goods to those who stayed — medicine and food”. 

Also Read | Ukraine site for foreign fighter enlistment tells Russia to ‘f**k’ itself

Further, the minister added, “Therefore, I once again appeal to the Russian authorities to stop the advance of their troops, if this is happening — we are currently verifying this information — and to allow the evacuation of people. The whole world is watching this. I sincerely hope that such a first step, which I hope will end positively and people will get shelter, but not sit for weeks under the rubble, in basements without water, without communication and without food, will continue”. 

Russia and Ukraine agreed on setting up humanitarian corridors after their second round of talks.