UPDATE: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60629851">BBC News</a> has reported that Russian forces have "continued to shell the Ukrainian city of Mariupol", despite a ceasefire being announced. The outlet states that officials for the Ukrainian city of Mariupol have been forced to postpone a planned mass evacuation of the city's residents due to Russian forces reportedly continuing to bombard the city. "We ask the people in Mariupol to head for the shelter, there will be more information on the evacuation asap," said Mariupol officials. "Due to the fact that the Russian side is not sticking to the ceasefire and continues to shoot Mariupol itself and the outskirts, the evacuation has been postponed." Speaking to BBC News, one local said: "I'm right now in Mariupol, I'm on the street. I can hear shelling every three to five minutes." As of this writing, Russia has not commented on the situation. ORIGINAL: Russia has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine in order to allow civilians to flee two of Ukraine's biggest cities. As reported by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/05/russian-state-media-claims-temporary-ceasefire-at-mariupol-volnovakha.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNBC News</a>, Ukraine is in the process of setting up "humanitarian corridors" in order to allow civilians in the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha to leave safely. Mykhailo Podoliak - an advisor to the Ukrainian Presidential Office - reportedly took part in negotiations with Russian officials earlier this week, tweeted: <blockquote>"In Mariupol and Volnovakha, evacuation humanitarian corridors are being prepared for opening, and columns of those to be evacuated are being formed. The parties temporarily ceased fire in the area of ​​corridors."</blockquote> Additionally, per <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-mariupol-humanitarian-corridors-b2029181.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Independent</a>, Russia's defense ministry said on Saturday that from 10:00AM Moscow time (07:00AM GMT and 02:00AM ET), "the Russian side declares a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha." <img class="size-large wp-image-1263146970" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-05-at-11.00.09-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="685" />[[imagecaption|| The Volnovakha District in Ukraine on March 3. Credit: ITAR-TASS News Agency / Alamy]] Anton Herashchenko - Ukraine’s interior ministry adviser - also confirmed the ceasefire, and stated that similar agreements will be made to help protect civilians in other Ukrainian territories. However, shortly after announcing the ceasefire, the Russian defense ministry added that "broad offensive operations" would continue throughout the rest of Ukraine. The cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha are located in Ukraine’s extreme southeast corner - near the border to Russia and Crimea - which CNBC News states makes them "strategic targets" for Russian forces. <img class="size-large wp-image-1263146971" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/03/2HW8DRM-1024x684.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="684" />[[imagecaption|| Civilians flee as fighting breaks out in Irpin, Ukraine. Taken March 4. Credit: Sipa US / Alamy]] <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-05-22/h_ea8af696544e0d5776c63703ede88849">CNN</a> reports that some Russian forces are also battling with morale issues after facing setbacks amid the invasion. For example, it is reported that a huge convoy of Russian vehicles has remained stalled for several days north of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Nevertheless, on Saturday, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has revealed that Russian forces have "advanced in some directions" but are being opposed by Ukrainian defenders "countering and ousting the occupiers." Reznikov added that because of the "slow-down of the offensive pace and resistance of the Ukrainians," Russia has been forced to "change tactics." CNN adds that, as of Saturday morning, the UN has estimated a total of 331 civilian deaths in Ukraine. Additionally, over 1.2 million refugees have fled the country since Putin launched his "special military operation" on February 24. If you would like to know how you can support the Ukrainian people at this time, click <a href="https://vt.co/news/world/heres-how-you-can-support-those-affected-by-the-ongoing-crisis-in-ukraine">HERE</a> to find a list of organizations and groups dedicated to helping those affected by this crisis. <h6>Featured image credit: Mykhailo Palinchak / Alamy</h6>

Russia agrees to temporary ceasefire to allow civilians to flee two Ukrainian cities

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