An agreement was reached with Russia on the creation of eight humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from besieged cities on Monday (21), but the city of Mariupol is not among them, said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.
She said efforts to reach Mariupol with humanitarian supplies continue to fail.
The Russian-issued deadline for the Mariupol authorities to hand over the city was ignored after the Ukrainians rejected the terms of the Russian demand.
For weeks, Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of blocking evacuation corridors that would have allowed residents a safe escape from the city.
Mariupol mayor Petro Andrushenko’s aide said on Telegram that people trying to flee the city in their cars were being shot by Russian forces. The Ukrainian government said a relief convoy to the besieged city was repeatedly blocked.
On Sunday, the Mariupol City Council said residents were being taken to Russia against their will by Russian forces. Captured residents were taken to camps where Russian forces checked their phones and documents, then redirected some to remote cities in Russia, the council said. Russia denies the allegations.
The Russian attacks led to a complete breakdown in basic services – with residents without access to gas, electricity or water. Bodies are being dumped on the street because either there is no one to pick them up, or it’s just too dangerous to try.
A city official said people are afraid to leave their underground shelters even to pick up essentials, meaning they are trying to drink less water and eat less food, only going out to prepare hot meals.
*With information from CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
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