Ukraine-Russia LIVE updates as ceasefire announced to allow citizens to flee after young family 'killed by Russian troops'

Russia has announced a temporary ceasefire in parts of Ukraine this morning so residents can flee cities.

State media claims humanitarian corridors are being opened up today from 7am UK time in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sumy.

It comes despite similar attempts at humanitarian corridors failing in recent days, with a ceasefire to protect 400,000 people in Mariupol twice in a row.

READ MORE: BBC presenter Clive Myrie issues message as he escapes war-torn Kyiv

However, the new humanitarian corridors run into either Russia or Belarus.

Ukrainian and Russian forces blamed each other for failing to observe the ceasefire to allow hundreds of thousands to escape over the weekend.

The move comes as Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia continues to murder Ukrainian citizens, including a young family who were trying to escape the town of Irpin.

Oleksandr Markushyn, the town's mayor, announced in a statement that a family died 'in front of my eyes' - including two children.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned that Russia is deliberately targeting Ukraine's communication facilities, suggesting it will mean citizens are unable to access reliable news and information about the conflict.

There were reports of a strike on a TV tower in Kharkiv on Sunday, following a similar attack in Kyiv on March 1.

“Ukrainian internet access is also highly likely being disrupted as a result of collateral damage from Russian strikes on infrastructure,” the MoD said.

“Over the past week, internet outages have been reported in Mariupol, Sumy, Kyiv and Kharkiv.”

This is a live event. Follow the latest updates below.

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian president has slammed the corridors opened by Russia this morning as