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The evacuation of the inhabitants of Mariupol, a strategic Ukrainian port besieged by Russian forces and their allies, was postponed due to multiple Russian violations of the ceasefire, the mayor accused this Saturday.
The evacuation of civilians, which was to begin before noon, “was postponed for security reasons,” as Russian forces “continue to bombard Mariupol and its surroundings,” the mayor’s office said on Telegram.
The municipality urged civilians who had gathered at the city’s exit points to “go back to the shelters.”
“Negotiations with Russia are ongoing to establish a (ceasefire) and guarantee the installation of a humanitarian corridor,” he added.
On Saturday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the entry into force of a ceasefire from 07:00 GMT to allow civilians from Mariupol and the city of Volnovakha, 60 kilometers to the north, to leave.