Ukraine postpones the evacuation of civilians from the strategic Mariupol due to Russian violation of the ceasefire

The evacuation of the inhabitants of Mariupola 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”, declared the mayor’s office on Telegram.

SIGHT: Ukrainian port city of Mariupol ‘blockaded’ by Russian forces

The municipality urged civilians who had gathered at the city’s exit points to “go back to the shelters.”

“Negotiations with Russia are underway to establish a (ceasefire) and guarantee the installation of a humanitarian corridor,” he added.

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On Saturday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the entry into force of a ceasefire starting at 07:00 GMT to allow civilians from Mariupol and the city of Volnovakha60 kilometers to the north, can leave.

Strategic port on the Sea of ​​Azov

The city of Mariupolbesieged by the Russian army and its allies, is a strategic port of about 450,000 inhabitants and the last great city on the edge of the sea of ​​Azovon the southeast coast, under the control of Kiev.

After several days of bombing, Russia had announced a ceasefire on Saturday morning to allow the evacuation of civilians caught up in the fighting.

The mayor of this Russian-speaking city, Vadim Boishenkoaccused Russian and pro-Russian forces on Thursday of seeking “impose a blockade” in Mariupolby preventing the arrival of supplies and cutting off their “vital infrastructure”: water, electricity and heating.

Located about 55 km from the Russian border and about 85 km from the separatist stronghold of Donetsksupported by the Russians, Mariupol is to date the largest city in the hands of Kiev in the Donbas areawhich includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, part of which is already under the control of pro-Russian rebels.

If Moscow conquers this city, which in 2018 had 441,000 inhabitants (according to the UN), there would be a major turn in the conflict, launched on February 24 with a Russian offensive against Ukraine.

This would allow Russia to achieve territorial continuity between its forces from annexed Crimeawhich have already taken the key ports of Berdyansk and Kherson, and separatist and Russian troops from Donbas.

The two groups joined on the shore of the Sea of ​​Azov on Tuesday, according to Moscow. The separatists announced for their part on Wednesday that Mariupol was surrounded.

The port city was already briefly occupied by pro-Russian separatists in 2014, before it was recaptured by regular Ukrainian troops.

In addition to its strategic geographical location, Mariupol is a large industrial city. Like Berdyansk, its commercial port is of crucial importance for grain or steel exports from the east of the country.

Two large metallurgical companies, the Azovstal and Illitch factories, are based in Mariupol, employing tens of thousands of people.

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Source: Elcomercio

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