Moscow announces ceasefire in Ukraine and opening of corridors

Russia announced a ceasefire in Ukraine, starting on Monday morning and the opening of humanitarian corridors in several areas. A Russian task force said a ceasefire would start this morning, the 12th day of the war, for civilians from the capital Kyiv, the southern port city of Mariupol, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and Sumy. The announcement follows two failed attempts to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, from which the International Committee of the Red Cross estimated 200,000 people were trying to flee. The Russian task force said ceasefire and the opening of the corridors was announced at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday Task Force added, Russian forces will be observing the ceasefire with drones.

But, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said Russia's "point of targets" on his country made “zero sense” from a military standpoint as he named the cities bombarded by Moscow in last night's operation. “During the night, Russia hit Mykolayiv, residential areas, using rocket artillery. They hit Kharkiv, neighbourhoods, they hit other cities too. Zelenskyy also called western countries to prepare a new set of sanctions for Moscow as the Russian onslaught on the Ukrainian territory intensified. He reasoned slapping more sanctions is a "moral thing" to do in face of the ongoing invasion. Meanwhile people in large number are returning to Ukraine.

Over 140,000 people have returned to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

According to the State Border Guard Service, 80% of those returning are men.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 7, 2022

Russia is continuing its aggression against Ukraine for the 12th day on Monday. As per information, at least nine people have been killed after Russian airstrikes bombed the Vinnytsia airport in central Ukraine on Sunday.