Ukraine intends to evacuate women, children, elderly from Mariupol

Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with Russia on establishing a humanitarian corridor to evacuate women, children and the elderly from the besieged city of Mariupol on Wednesday.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said. “We managed to pre-agree a humanitarian corridor for women, children and older people.

“Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Mariupol, this is where we will focus our efforts today. People wishing to leave Mariupol should gather in the city at 2 p.m. (1100 GMT).

“Given the very difficult security situation, changes may occur during the corridor action. So please follow the relevant official messages.”

Local authorities say thousands of people have been killed in the siege of Mariupol and that the port city on the Sea of Azov has been destroyed.

Reuters/Temitope