Ukraine war: Russia announces temporary ceasefire for civilian evacuation of Mariupol and Volnovakha

The Russian military is observing a ceasefire in two areas of Ukraine to allow civilians to evacuate, Russian state media reported Saturday, but there was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine. It would be the first breakthrough in allowing civilians to escape the war.

The two cities in question are the strategic port of Mariupol in the southeast and the eastern town of Volnovakha.

The ceasefires are to come into force “from 10 a.m. Moscow time", Russia said although it didn't say how long the routes would remain open.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at NATO for refusing to impose a no-fly zone over his country, warning that “all the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you.”