Buses headed to Mariupol to deliver aid, evacuate trapped civilians

Kyiv, Mar 31 (EFE).- Some 45 buses were headed to the southern port city of Mariupol on Thursday to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate civilians after Russia agreed to open a safe humanitarian corridor, Ukrainian authorities reported.

“Tonight we received a message from the International Committee of the Red Cross that Russia confirmed its readiness to open a humanitarian convoy to the city of Mariupol through the city of Berdyansk. We are sending 45 buses to Mariupol,” Ukrainian deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

The strategic port city has been under siege for days and numerous previous attempts to evacuate civilians have been aborted due to Russian shelling.

“We will do everything possible for the buses to enter Mariupol today and pick up people who have not yet been able to leave the city,” Vereshchuk said.

Heavy shelling was ongoing in Mariupol, a key target of Russian forces, while Ukrainian forces remain in control of the city center, according to British military intelligence.

Another two humanitarian corridors from the southeastern city of Melitopol and northwestern city of Energodar were confirmed Thursday. EFE

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