Russia’s Defence Ministry announced a local ceasefire to allow civilians to be evacuated from Ukraine’s port city of Mariupol. A humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia would be opened from 10 am (07:00 GMT), the ministry said on Wednesday.

“For this humanitarian operation to succeed, we suggest direct participation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the ministry said in a statement. The Russian ministry asked Ukraine to guarantee unconditional respect for the ceasefire via written notification to the Russian side, the UNHCR and ICRC before 6 am (03:00 GMT).

Moscow also urged the Ukrainian army to ensure the security of the bus convoys along the humanitarian corridor. The ministry also said it had agreed to a proposal from Kyiv to open four new humanitarian corridors from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia.