Russia announces ceasefire in Ukraine and opening of humanitarian corridors in several areas

Russia announced a ceasefire in Ukraine, starting this morning and the opening of humanitarian corridors in several areas. A Russian task force said a ceasefire would start this morning, the 12th day of the war, for civilians from the capital Kyiv, the southern port city of Mariupol, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and Sumy.

It wasn’t immediately clear if fighting would stop beyond the areas mentioned in the task force’s statement, or when the ceasefire would end. The announcement follows two failed attempts to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, from which the International Committee of the Red Cross estimated 200,000 people were trying to flee.

The Russian task force said today’s ceasefire and the opening of the corridors was announced at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. Task Force added, Russian forces will be observing the ceasefire with drones.