The Russian Ministry of Defence has announced a temporary ceasefire, allowing trapped civilians to evacuate the region of Mariupol safely.
This is all according to new reports from the Kyiv Independent, who confirm the humanitarian corridor will begin at 10 am local time on March 31.
It will leave Mariupol running through the Russian-controlled port of Berdiansk.
The US Department of Defence says around 20% of Russia’s forces that had been moving against Kyiv are “repositioning”
With some heading towards Belarus, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby warns Russia will likely “refit these troops, resupply them, and employ them elsewhere in Ukraine”.
On Monday, diplomats from Russia and Ukraine met for the first round of peace talks in over two weeks, with Moscow pledging to decrease its military presence near the capital to “increase mutual trust”.
But Kyiv’s mayor says this is “simply not true”, adding sirens, rocket attacks and explosions near his city have continued at full force.
The Kremlin’s top spokesperson also told the media that there was nothing promising nor any breakthroughs reached at the diplomatic talks.
This follows Western leaders pleading for caution when it comes to any promises made by Russia.
Ukraine’s ministry of defence says Russia’s military has regrouped and is focused on “offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone”
While Russia has “intensified fire and assault operations” in the Donetsk region and “continues to strike air and missile strikes on settlements.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The United Nations says four million people have now fled Ukraine since the start of the war.
- There have been over 1,800 civilian deaths in Ukraine… including 98 children, since Russian forces first invaded on February 24.
- US officials are pleading for caution when it comes to promises of Russian troop withdrawal, saying movement is likely just a “repositioning” of force.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky is calling for tighter sanctions against Russia as the bloody war continues.
