Mayor of Ukraine appeals for full evacuation of Mariupol

The mayor of Mariupol made a new appeal on Friday for the full evacuation of the southern Ukrainian city which President Vladimir Putin says is now controlled by Russian forces.

Mayor Vadym Boichenko said, “We need only one thing, the full evacuation of the population. About 100,000 people are remaining in Mariupol.”

Boichenko, who is no longer in Mariupol, did not provide any update on any fighting in or around the city on the Sea of Azov. But said, without giving details, that Russian forces make mockery of those left in Mariupol.

A small convoy was able to leave the city on Wednesday, reaching the Ukraine controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said that Ukraine was not attempting to establish any humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from Ukrainian cities and towns on Friday.

“Due to the danger on the routes today, April 22, there will be no humanitarian corridors. To all those waiting to be evacuated, be patient, please hold on.”

Temitope/Reuters