KYIV: Russia's second ceasefire announcement failed to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people trapped in the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volanovkha. Ukrainian officials said people could not be evacuated from Mariupol through a pre-arranged security corridor because Russia had not stopped the attack. Officials are trying to persuade Russia to prepare other routes near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

The evacuation did not take place because Russia had violated the six-hour ceasefire announced on Saturday in both places. The next peace talks between Ukraine and Russia will take place on Monday. Russia's rocket fire attack destroys Vinniytsa airport.

The ceasefire was declared from 10 am to 9 pm local time on Sunday (12.30 pm to 11.30 pm Indian time).Almost 2 lakh people have to be evacuated from the places of severe attack.

There were three ways for the people to go from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia. But the security corridor became impassable due to an attack by Russian forces. The influx of refugees is increasing. Within 11 days, 1.5 million people have fled.

Thousands of people were trapped as Russia violated Saturday's ceasefire. Trapped people said houses were burning in the city, bodies lying in the streets and no food or drinking water was available. The shells landed on the security route to Zaporizhzhia.

City officials in Zaporizhzhia are busy preparing facilities for the millions of people expected from both cities. The city's largest circus tent was turned into a refugee camp. Beds, pillows, warm clothes and food packets were made there. Schools, kindergartens, hostels and other buildings are being prepared for the refugees