Russia said it had offered a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol for the evacuation of civilians tomorrow. “Russia’s armed forces will declare a ceasefire on March 31 from 10 am (9 am CEST) for humanitarian purposes only,” Major General Mikhail Mizintsev said this evening, according to Interfax news agency.
The temporary ceasefire was intended to allow civilians to flee the embattled port city on the Sea of Azov, first to Berdyansk in the west and then to Zaporizhia.
The Ukrainian side has until 6 am (5 am CEST) to declare a ceasefire and inform Russia, the United Nations and the International Red Cross in writing. Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly accused each other of sabotaging the flight of Mariupol residents.