After Russia promised an interim ceasefire, the Ukrainian government sent 45 buses to the besieged port city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine. “We are doing everything we can to make sure that the buses go to Mariupol today and pick up people who have not yet left the city,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a video message on Thursday (see above).
International Red Cross teams are on their way to Mariupol with relief supplies. On Friday, civilians would be taken out of the besieged port city, a spokesman for Reuters news agency said. The International Red Cross is standing by to escort the planned convoy out of the city, provided the exact conditions such as the route, start and duration are determined in advance. There is an urgent need for relief supplies to enter the city and people to be taken out. “The lives of tens of thousands in Mariupol depend on it.”
City surrounded by Russians since early March
The city on the Sea of Azov has been surrounded by Russian troops since early March. According to Ukrainian information, there are still more than 100,000 people in the badly damaged city. Before the war, almost 440,000 people lived there. On the way back, the convoy of buses would travel via Russian-occupied Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhya, some 200 kilometers away.
In addition, two humanitarian corridors have been agreed in the cities of Melitopol and Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhya region, which are also occupied by Russian forces. People in passenger cars can join the evacuation columns from the three cities. “Our military guarantees a complete ceasefire,” Vereshchuk said.
Russia attacked Ukraine five weeks ago. According to the UN, about 1,200 civilians have been killed in the fighting. However, the actual number of victims is probably much higher.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
