The Ukrainian Defense Minister accused the Russian forces of bombing the open humanitarian corridor between the cities of Zaporizhzhia y Mariupolwhere according to humanitarian organizations hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped.
“Ceasefire violated. Russian armed forces are now shelling the humanitarian corridor from Zaporizhzhia to Mariupol. 8 trucks plus 30 buses ready to bring humanitarian aid to Mariupol and to evacuate civilians from Zaporizhzhia,” ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko tweeted.
For his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Russia “holds 300 civilians hostage in Mariupolprevents humanitarian evacuation despite agreements with the Red Cross”.
“A child died of dehydration yesterday. War crimes are part of Russia’s deliberate strategy. I urge all states to publicly ask Russia to let people out,” the minister tweeted.
For its part, the human rights defense organization Human Right Watch denounced that in Mariupol the 200,000 residents who have remained since March 2, when the Russians besieged the city, they have no access to running water, electricity or heating.
“The civilians of Mariupol are trapped in a cold and arid nightmareWithout electricity, they live under the constant threat of Russian bombing,” says Jonathan Pedneault, director of HRW.
“Russian and Ukrainian forces must take the necessary steps to allow civilians to leave the city and provide the most basic needs for those who remain,” he added.