Russia declares limited ceasefire in two Ukrainian cities to allow civilians to flee

Russia said its forces had stopped firing near two besieged Ukrainian cities on Saturday to allow safe passage to civilians fleeing the fighting, but city officials said Moscow was not fully observing the partial ceasefire.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its units had opened humanitarian corridors near the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha which were encircled by its troops, Russia's RIA news agency reported.