Russia officially resumes fighting along evacuation routes from Mariupol and Volnovakha

Katerina Tyschenkm – Saturday, 5 March 2022, 18:29

Russia’s Ministry of Defence has announced the resumption of offensive operations along the evacuation routes from Mariupol and Volnovakha.

Source: Russia’s Ministry of Defence, according to the Russian state-controlled RIA Novosti

Quote: "Due to the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to control the nationalists or to continue the ceasefire, the offensive resumed at 18:00 Moscow time (17:00 Kyiv time)."

Details: The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation stated that no civilians were able to use the evacuation routes to flee Mariupol and Volnovakha.

The Ministry claims that "nationalist battalions used the ceasefire to strengthen their positions."

Background:

• The Russian troops had promised to cease fire from 09:00 on 5 March and to open two "humanitarian corridors" for civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha towards Zaporizhia. The evacuation from Mariupol was planned to last several days along a certain route and that people would be able to leave from 11am to 4pm on 5 March.
• However, in practice, the Russian side violated the agreement on the "green corridor" and began shelling. The evacuation was postponed and the civilian evacuees were asked to disperse.