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On Saturday, Russia’s defence ministry announced a ceasefire to allow residents of two surrounded cities, including Mariupol, to escape.

“Today, March 5, from 10 am Moscow time, the Russian side declares a regime of silence and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha,” it said.

Following days of “ruthless” attacks, Mariupol’s mayor, Vadim Boychenko, declared Saturday that the city was under “blockade” by Russian soldiers.

Russian forces have shut off Mariupol’s electricity, food, water, heating, and transportation in the middle of the winter, drawing comparisons to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II.

“For the time being, we are seeking for humanitarian solutions as well as all possible means to get Mariupol out of the blockade,” Boychenko said, calling for a ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor for food and medication.

Since Putin’s army entered Ukraine on February 24, it has blasted Ukrainian cities, killed hundreds of civilians, and attacked Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

Western governments have condemned the invasion and imposed harsh penalties, balancing punishment of the Kremlin with fears of a dangerous escalation.

Russia-Ukraine War live updates

After an attack that set fire to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Russian troops seized control. After the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “nuclear terror.” The Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin said Russia was willing to talk on Ukraine if all of its criteria were met.

Putin also denied that Russia had bombed Ukrainian cities, calling such allegations “gross propaganda.” Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to hold a third round of discussions with Russian officials this weekend, following the second round on Thursday.

The staff of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is still detained ten days after Russian forces captured it. The crew is “tired mentally, physically, and emotionally” when working in shifts, according to Yury Fomichev, Mayor of Slavutych.