The Russian occupiers halted the evacuation of civilians from Volnovakha and Mariupol. The invaders shelled from their heavy military equipment Volnovakha and the area of the “humanitarian corridor” near Mariupol. It happened contrary to the agreement on ceasefire reached earlier. Information on the accident given by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Irina Vereshchuk and Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko.
“At 11.45 the Russian Federation began shelling the city of Volnovakha with heavy weapons. As you know, from 9.00 on March 5th, we had a preliminary agreement that we will provide two humanitarian corridors – Volnovakha and Mariupol. I note the fact that Russia has violated the agreement, ignoring mediation of the Red Cross. Russia has not complied with their commitments and is shelling the city of Volnovakha. Also in the direction of Mariupol – Zaporozhye there are fights in the area of settlements Pologi – Orikhovo, which make it impossible for the column to move from Mariupol to Zaporozhye,” said Irina Vereshchuk.
The Minister appealed to the Russian side to stop the shelling, return the ceasefire to allow the formation of columns of the humanitarian corridor so that children, women and the elderly can be evacuated from the settlements.She also appealed to the Russian Federation to allow humanitarian goods to be sent from the city of Dnipro and Zaporizhia, especially consisting of medications, insulin, and food.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said that the city was ready for evacuation, but the Russian Federation began shelling along the corridor along which the columns were to move.
