Russia’s state-controlled media claimed Saturday that the country’s Defense Ministry has announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to allow civilians to leave the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha.
The ceasefire will reportedly begin at 10 a.m. Moscow time (2 a.m. ET).
It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire or been made aware of Russia’s plans to announce one.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that exit routes had been agreed upon with Ukraine, but no corroborating statement from Ukraine was available.
Mariupol and Volnovakha lie about 30 miles (48 km) apart in Ukraine’s extreme southeast corner, near the Russian border. Mariupol is a port city on the Sea of Azov. (edited)
The cities have born the brunt of some of the most intense fighting in Ukraine over recent days.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly.
