Russia declares ceasefire in Mariupol to allow civilian evacuation: MoD

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Today, Saturday, Russia declared a ceasefire for civilians to evacuate from the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha, the Russian Defense Ministry stated.

"Today, on March 5, starting at 10 a.m. Moscow time [07:00 GMT], Russia is declaring a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors are opening for civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha," the Ministry said.

The Ministry added that the corridors and the evacuation routes were agreed upon with Ukraine.

Ceasefire in Mariupol

The ceasefire regime in Mariupol will last from 07:00 to 14:00 GMT, and the evacuation of civilians will begin at 09:00 GMT, Mariupol's authorities said in a statement.

"Today, on March 5 from 9 am to 4 pm a ceasefire regime will be established. The evacuation of the civilian population will begin at 11 am. The route Mariupol - Nikolske - Rozivka - Polohy - Orikhiv - Zaporizhzhia has been selected as a humanitarian 'green corridor'," the statement read.

The evacuation of the populace will take place via bus from all three locations. It will be feasible to travel outside of the city using private transportation. Deviation from the established path is strictly prohibited, according to the statement.

DPR forces face fire from Nazi Battalions 

After entering the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, fighters from the Ukrainian Nazi battalions Azov and Aidar opened fire on DPR troops from schools, hospitals, maternity hospitals, and kindergartens, according to the Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov.

"Soldiers of the Donetsk People's Republic continue to tighten the ring of encirclement around Mariupol," the Spokesperson said.

"Fighters of the Azov and Aidar Nazi battalions are firing at the units of the People's Militia that have entered the city from reinforced positions in schools, hospitals, maternity hospitals, and kindergartens," Konashenkov added.

Over 2000 military sites in Ukraine have already been destroyed, according to the Spokesperson.

"A total of 2,037 objects of Ukraine's military infrastructure were hit during the operation. Among them are 71 Ukrainian military command and communications posts, 98 S-300, Buk-M-1, and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as 61 radar stations," Konashenkov said.

He added that "66 fighter jets in the air and 16 on the land, 708 tanks, and other armored vehicles, 74 multiple missile launching systems, 261 field artillery, and mortars, 505 units of special military vehicles, as well as 56 unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed."