Zelensky: Russian troops have a clear order to hold Mariupol hostage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in a video address, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to Zelensky, one of the main tasks for the Ukrainian authorities on Thursday, March 10, was to organize humanitarian corridors. He said that almost 40,000 people had been evacuated during the day. In addition, he said that humanitarian goods had been delivered to some cities. He said that the country's leadership is doing everything to save Ukrainians in cities that the enemy simply wants to destroy. Zelensky noted that due to the work of humanitarian corridors, about 100,000 people were evacuated in two days.

"But… Mariupol and Volnovakha remain completely blocked. Although we did everything necessary to make the humanitarian corridor work, Russian troops did not cease fire. Despite this, I decided to send a convoy of trucks to Mariupol anyway. With food, water, medicine. I am grateful to the drivers - brave people who were ready to fulfill this mission. An extremely important mission. But the invaders started a tank attack exactly in the area where this corridor was supposed to be. Corridor of life. For the people of Mariupol. They did it consciously. They knew what they were disrupting. They have a clear order to hold Mariupol hostage, to torture it, to carry out constant bombardment," Zelensky said.

He added that on March 10, the attackers destroyed the building of the main department of the State Emergency Service in the Donetsk region. He said that right next to this building was the place where Mariupol residents were to gather for evacuation.

Zelensky called such actions by Russia outright and blatant terror committed by experienced terrorists.

"The world needs to know that. It has to admit it. We are all dealing with a terrorist state," he said.

At the same time, he assured that attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to Mariupol will continue.

Zelensky stated that the invaders are doing everything to deceive Ukrainians in the besieged cities. In particular, they block communication and prevent the provision of information. However, he said that the state is doing everything to help the city.

"Everything to tell the people of Mariupol: we are fighting. And we will not give up this fight. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to talk to the people of Mariupol, to write to the people of Mariupol, spread the truth. Remind them that Ukraine is with them wholeheartedly and is doing everything to stop the torture of the city," he said.