KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia declared ceasefire in five cities of Ukraine — Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol — to open humanitarian corridors, according to media reports.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, the cessation of military action will come into force from 10 am (Moscow time) to allow the evacuation of civilians and foreign citizens from the war-hit nation.
It also called for continuous communication between both sides for the mutual exchange of information on the preparation and carrying out the evacuation.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that an attempt has been made to pause military hostilities in order to allow the safe exit of civilians from the conflict zone.
While Russia had announced ceasefire in the areas of Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Sumy from 10 AM (Moscow time) on Monday at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine rejected this offer taking umbrage to the fact that the exit routes will lead refugees into Russia.
Previously too, the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Mariupol and Volnovakha failed twice with both sides accusing each other of sabotaging the process.
Sa/ma
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