KYIV: Russia has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine. The partial ceasefire was declared on the 10th day of the war. Russian news agencies said that the action was taken to open humanitarian corridors for civilians.

Russia declared the ceasefire at 11.30 am Indian time. However, the Ukrainian government has not yet commented on the matter.

Rescue operations will be carried out through the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha. The opening up of the corridors would enable civilians of the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha to evacuate, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Ukraine had urged Russia to declare an immediate ceasefire during the second round of peace talks between the two nations in Belarus.

As per reports, nearly 20,000 people are stranded in the city of Volnovakha alone.UN agencies said that at least 160,000 people are still stranded in Ukraine.
India had earlier informed Ukraine and Russia that it was not possible to evacuate people without declaring a ceasefire.