Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Vereshchuk says there is “a possibility” that a humanitarian corridor will be opened from Mariupol today. “Wait for the official announcement tomorrow morning. If all goes well, I will confirm,” she reported Friday evening in an online message to the residents of the southern port city. Mariupol has been besieged by Russian troops for weeks. Many thousands of people are without food, electricity, water and access to medical facilities. Ukrainian soldiers are hiding in the Azovstal steel factory, as are many residents of the city.
According to Vereshchuk, no evacuation corridors were possible on Friday due to “danger on the routes”. She says she understands that it is hard for the people of Mariupol that the evacuation attempts so often fail. “But we have to try until it works,” she says.
Yesterday declared Russia’s defense ministry has said that Russia is willing to declare a ceasefire to let Ukrainians leave Mariupol. The Kremlin spoke of “humanitarian break for the evacuation of civilians”. Ukraine did not immediately respond to that proposal.
–
