KYIV (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Sergei Orlov, Mariupol’s deputy mayor, said earlier on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that the ceasefire agreed to allow civilians to flee the city lasted “not more than 30 minutes.”
Today, the Red Cross planned to oversee a five-hour break to allow inhabitants to escape Mariupol and Volnovakha, a smaller city to the north.
Orlov, on the other hand, claimed that his city had been subjected to “constant shelling” since the ceasefire was set to begin, and that kindergartens, schools and buses intended to transport civilians had been targeted.
Russian soldiers were accused of “genocide” by Orlov and claimed that he was “afraid” to think of what would happen to inhabitants now that the city lacked heating, water and sanitation.
He demanded stronger military assistance, including a no-fly zone.
There have been no comments by Russia on the fresh shelling, but its defence ministry has claimed that civilians have not used the Mariupol evacuation routes, accusing Ukrainian officials of blocking people from fleeing.
Heartbreaking scenes in Mariupol – ICRC
The humanitarian organisation in charge of today’s evacuation of Mariupol and Volbovakha described the scenes there and in other Ukrainian cities as “heartbreaking.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that the “safety and well-being of all people living in fearful situations in Ukraine” was its first priority.
ICRC continues to speak with the parties about the safe movement of people from conflict-affected cities, the ICRC said in a statement.
In accordance with international law, individuals engaging in the conflict were urged to “protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
On Saturday morning, a ceasefire agreement that was supposed to provide relief from Russian bombardment of Mariupol and Volnovakha collapsed due to continuous Russian attacks.
What is the significance of Mariupol in the conflict?
For days, the city has been under siege. But why is it so crucial from a strategic standpoint?
It’s one of Ukraine’s busiest Black Sea ports, as well as a major crossroads between Crimea and Russia.
If Russia takes control of Mariupol, it will gain control of a route that connects the Russian-backed separatist-controlled regions of Luhansk and Donetsk with Crimea, which Russia invaded in 2014.
What’s the most recent news?
- If you’re just joining, here’s what’s happened so far today:
- A ceasefire broke down mere hours after it was established between Russia and Ukraine, allowing citizens to evacuate the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha and Mariupol
- The West has been warned by Putin that any country that imposes a no-fly zone over Ukraine will be deemed a participant in the conflict.
- According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Ukrainian refugees’ numbers could soon surpass 1.5 million.
- Zara is liquidating all of its 500 stores in Russia, and Samsung and PayPal have stopped operations in the nation.
- In just two days, more than £85 million has been raised in the UK to support Ukraine.
- Aeroflot, Russia’s national airline, has cancelled nearly all international flights as of March 8 due to “new conditions” that have hampered its operations.
- Protests against the conflict are taking place around the world, notably in Bangkok, Switzerland, London, and Kherson, Ukraine’s only captured city so far.
