Russia issued an ultimatum to the Ukrainian forces that are in Mariupol, calling them to withdraw before Monday at noon, in order to implement humanitarian corridors and evacuate the hundreds of thousands of civilians who have not been able to leave the city.
Russia called this Sunday for the Ukrainian forces to leave the city of Mariúpolin the south-east of Ukraine, on Monday, before noon.
“In that case, the organized departure from the city will take place as follows: from 10 to 12 o’clock all Ukrainian armed units and foreign mercenaries without weapons and ammunition (will be able to leave the town) along a route agreed with Ukraine” said Mikhail Mizintsev, head of Russia’s National Defense Control Center.
Mizintsev accused Ukrainian “nationalists” of sowing “chaos” and “terror” in Mariupol and cause a serious catastrophe humanitarian in the city.
The military chief claimed that the Russian forces have not used in the city heavy weaponry and neither have the pro-Russian militias in Donetsk fighting with the Russian Army.
At the same time, he assured that the Ukrainian forces that lay down their arms will be able to leave Mariupol in a “safe and without his life being in danger.
humanitarian corridors
Starting at noon in the city they will be able to enter humanitarian convoys with food, medicine and basic necessities both from kyiv, and from territories in the east of the country, which are not under their control.
In parallel, Mizintsev called international organizations, including the UN and the Red Crossto send their representatives to the city to oversee the evacuations of civilians.
He insisted that locals can freely choose any humanitarian corridoroffered by both Russia and Ukraine, or stay in the city.
The Ukrainian government admitted two days ago that it currently has no possibility of sending military reinforcements to Mariupol.
Olexii Arestovich, adviser to the president Volodomir ZelenskyHe said the closest forces are more than 100 kilometers away or already involved in other fighting.
“Currently, there is no military solution for Mariupol. It’s not just my opinion, it’s also the opinion of the military,” he said.
