Russia declares partial ceasefire to open humanitarian corridors from Mariupol, Volnovakha

In a major relief to civilians, Russia has declared a ceasefire as of 07:00 GMT (12:30 AM IST) on Saturday, to open humanitarian corridors for civilians, reported Russian news outlet - Sputnik. ceasefire comes amid heavy bombing of Ukrainian cities - Kiev, Kharkov, Sumy, Chernigov, and Mariupol. Over 1 million people have alrey fled from Ukraine to bordering nations - Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Moldova.

Russia announces ceasefire in Mariupol and Volnovakha

"Today, on 5 March at 10 AM-4 PM Moscow time, Russian side declares a ceasefire and opens humanitarian corridors for exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha", Russian Defence Ministry told reporters in Russia. ministry ded that humanitarian corridors and exit routes have been agreed upon with Ukrainian side.  Mariupol-Nikolskoe-Rozovka-Pologi-Orekhov-Zaporozhye route has been chosen as a humanitarian corridor, said authorities of Mariupol, quoted Sputnik.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide - Mikhail Podolyak - claimed that 200,000 people are trying to evacuate from Mariupol, while 20,000 people want to leave Volnovakha (which falls in Donetsk region), according to Sputnik. At present, Volnovakha and Mariupol, one of Ukraine's largest ports, are being blocked by forces from Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics - backed by Russia. Both Donetsk and Lugansk have been declared as 'independent regions' by Putin.

Russia steps up offense

Russia intensified its attack on Friday when  a heavy gun battle and firing began at Ukraine's  Zaporizhzhya NPP leing to a fire breaking out at training building outside NPP. fire, due to heavy shelling by Russian Army was localized on an area of ​​2,000 square meters and was  extinguished by 6:20 AM (Ukraine Time). Later, Russian troops occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear power plant but Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRIU) still operates plant. Russia's massive 40 km convoy of tanks is inching closer towards Kyiv, bombing suburbs, civilian buildings and military establishments alike.

Russia inves Ukraine

For weeks, Moscow massed over 150,000 troops on Ukraine's borders in a bid to pressurise Western nations to not allow Ukraine to join NATO, threatening an invasion. Last week, Putin ordered a special military operation in Ukraine's Donbas region, which quickly accelerated into precision airstrikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, deployed tanks towards Lviv from Belarus-Ukraine border. A military faceoff is underway between Russian and Ukrainian Armies in Sumy, Poltava, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson including heavy air attacks, missiles from sea, air and land. Over 1 million Ukrainians have fled and many are housed in bomb shelters.

On Sunday, both nations agreed to hold peace talks at Ukraine-Belarus border (Gomel) as Ukraine continues to hold Kharkiv and Kyiv. In first round of talks, Ukraine demanded a ceasefire and immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from its land. With no breakthrough, two sides agreed on furr talks. Ukraine has applied to join European Union. Zelesky has urged NATO to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine - which has been rejected. As of date, Ukraine has lost 352 civilians including 14 children in war against Russia.