Russia declares ceasefire to open humanitarian corridors for evacuating civilians

Moscow (Russia), March 5: Amid the ongoing war, Russia on Saturday declared a ceasefire in Ukraine for opening up humanitarian corridors for civilians to be evacuated.

"Today, March 5, from 10 am Moscow time, the Russian side declares a regime of silence and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha," Sputnik news agency reported citing the Russian defence ministry. Also read | Now, two trains won't collide, thanks to 'Kavach' According to the ministry, the opening up of the corridors would enable residents of the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha, including the strategic port town of Mariupol, to evacuate. "Russia Declares Ceasefire in Ukraine From 06:00 GMT to Open Humanitarian Corridors for Civilians," tweeted Sputnik. The Russian forces had blockaded the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, said Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko, according to a media report on Saturday. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to hold the third round of talks with Russian officials to try to end the fighting triggered by Moscow's invasion this weekend, said one of Kyiv's negotiators. Meanwhile, amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, air raid alerts were issued on Saturday morning in the capital city Kyiv along with other key cities of Chernihiv and Sumy, local media reported. The first air raid warning was issued for the city of Chernihiv. "Air raid alerts in Chernihiv. Residents should go to the nearest shelter," The Kyiv Independent tweeted. Also read | Australian cricket legend Shane Warne dies of ‘heart attack’ aged 52 Subsequent alerts were issued for the capital city Kyiv, followed by an alert for the entire Kyiv Oblast and the city of Zhytomyr, followed by an alert for the city of Sumy. Residents in all these places were requested to go to the nearby shelters. A building of the military faculty of Sumy State University in Ukraine's northeastern city Sumy was shelled on Thursday by Russian forces. -PTC News