Ukraine hopeful of opening humanitarian corridors

Ukraine is hoping to open up humanitarian corridors to safely evacuate citizens from Russian aggression

Ukraine hopes to be able to evacuate civilians from some towns and cities besieged by fighting, the country’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk has revealed.

The plan would include trying to establish a route out of the encircled port city of Mariupol – where 160,000 people remain trapped – at risk of being hit by continuous Russian shelling and air bombardment.

On Monday, the Ukrainian Government warned that some of the evacuation routes were unsafe because of potential attacks by Russian forces.

Peace talks between the two countries continue

The peace talks comes as Mariupol remains surrounded by Russian forces as calls grow for a full evacuation of the port city.

Ukrainian general staff say its forces “continue to maintain the circular defense” with Russia controlling the outskirts.

With evacuation corridors surrounded on all sides the mayor is calling for “a complete evacuation” of remaining citizens.

Ukrainian officials say 90 per cent of the residential buildings in the city have been damaged or destroyed during combat.

US President Joe Biden has also clarified recent remarks made in Poland, saying he was speaking directly to the Russian people.