Russian troops continue shelling Mariupol, evacuation postponed

The evacuation of the civilian population of Mariupol has been postponed due to enemy shelling.

According to Ukrinform, Mariupol City Council reported this on Telegram.

Due to the fact that the Russian side does not observe the ceasefire regime and continued the shelling of both Mariupol and its suburbs, the evacuation of the population has been postponed for security reasons.

"We ask all Mariupol residents to disperse and go to shelters. Additional information about the evacuation will be provided soon. Negotiations are underway with the Russian Federation to establish a ceasefire regime and ensure a safe humanitarian corridor," the statement said.

The police will also inform the residents of the city about the evacuation with the help of loudspeakers.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk said that an agreement had been reached between Ukraine and Russia to establish a humanitarian corridor from 09:00 on March 5 in two directions - Volnovakha and Mariupol. Evacuation routes have been agreed with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, said earlier that a ceasefire regime was established in Mariupol on March 5 from 09:00 to 16:00, and the evacuation of the population began.