As shelling by the Russian army resumed on Saturday, the ceasefire to evacuate residents from two cities of Ukraine broke. The Russian defence ministry earlier announced that it had agreed upon evacuation routes with Ukrainian forces for Mariupol, a strategic port in the southeast, and Volnovakha, in the east.
“The Russian side is not holding to the ceasefire and has continued firing on Mariupol itself and on its surrounding area. Talks with the Russian Federation are ongoing regarding setting up a ceasefire and ensuring a safe humanitarian corridor,” said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office.
The Russian side broke the deal in Volnovakha too, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said, and she pleaded for them to stop shooting. Meanwhile, RIA Novosti reported an allegation of Russian defense ministry that the firing came from inside both cities against Russian positions.
