Russia halts offensive, declares temporary ceasefire in two Ukrainian cities
What's the story
In a major development from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine as its invasion of the latter entered the tenth day on Saturday.
The ceasefire came into place at 11.30 am IST.
As per reports, it is a brief ceasefire announced for the safe evacuation of civilians from the war zone in eastern Ukraine.
Details
Ceasefire in just two cities
"Today, on 5 March at 10 a.m. Moscow time, the Russian side declares a ceasefire and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha," a statement from the Russian defence ministry read.
This came as Mariupol's mayor Vadim Boychenko said that the port city had been 'blockaded' by Russian forces, cutting it off from electricity, food, water, heating, and transport.
Mariupol
No food, water, electricity in Mariupol
Boychenko sought the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to let residents leave the war zone.
"We are simply being destroyed...They want to wipe Mariupol and Mariupol residents off the face of the earth," he said in a televised appeal.
The mayor had earlier said that Russian forces have destroyed bridges and trains to prevent residents from leaving.
Data
Over 2 lakh people trying to leave Mariupol
Russian news agency Sputnik reported that Mikhail Podolyak, an aide of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has claimed over 2 lakh people are attempting to leave Mariupol, while around 20,000 people want to leave Volnovakha.
Attacks
Russian troops bomb hospital in Irpin
Earlier today, the Russian army bombed a military hospital in Ukraine's Irpin, Turkish news outlet TRT reported.
The troops bombed a military hospital in the town, located just outside capital Kyiv, as shelling intensified in the region.
Continuous explosions are being heard in Kyiv and an air raid alert has been sounded in view of the possibility of a Russian airstrike.
NATO
Zelensky slams NATO for rejecting no-fly zone plea
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized NATO for rejecting his proposal for a no-fly zone above Ukraine.
He said that NATO's decision had given Russia a "green signal" to continue attacking Ukrainian cities and villages.
"All the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you, because of your weakness, because of your lack of unity," Zelensky added.
Ukraine
Situation in Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine continues to worsen as Russian troops have taken over several cities or turned them into ruins with non-stop shelling.
Millions of people have been forced to flee Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
The United Nations has said that at least 331 civilians have been confirmed dead and 675 wounded in the country in the last 10 days.