Russia-Ukraine war: 10 humanitarian corridors to operate on March 14, says Ukrainian Deputy PM

Kiev (Ukraine), March 14: Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has announced that 10 humanitarian corridors will operate on Monday in order to facilitate the evacuation of citizens. "Ten humanitarian corridors have been agreed upon for today [Monday]," Vereshchuk said in a video address that was shared on her Telegram. These corridors will be to both the Keiv and Donetsk regions. Russia's military offensive in Ukraine has triggered the fastest-growing displacement catastrophe since World War II, that too in just 15 days. At least 1.85 million people have been internally displaced, with much heading west to flee combat in the country's eastern, southern, and northern regions. Meanwhile, 2.5 million people have entered neighbouring countries. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) staff are stationed in key locations across eastern, central, and western Ukraine to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Can China mediate peace between Russia, Ukraine? According to Vereshchuk, 600 people were evacuated from Borodyanka and moved to Zhytomyr on Sunday, while another 600 were evacuated from Bucha, near Kiev, according to Ukrayinska Pravda. According to the Minister, at least 3,950 individuals were evacuated from the Kiev region and 1,600 from separatist Luhansk. Approximately 5,000 civilians, including 1,700 foreign students, many of whom were from India, were evacuated to Poltava last week via a humanitarian corridor. On February 24, Russia launched a "military action" in Ukraine, claiming it was in response to calls for protection from Ukrainian troops by the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The Russian Defense Ministry maintains that the "special operation" is primarily aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure and that the civilian population is unaffected. The West, on the other hand, has denied these claims and placed sanctions against Russia. Many international businesses have left the Russian market as a result of sanctions imposed by a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: UK to offer 'support' for probe on 'Russian war crimes' -PTC News