Russia Opens Humanitarian Corridor In Mariupol

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MARIUPOL, UKRAINE – MARCH 17, 2022: Civilians have their documents checked as they follow a humanitarian corridor from the embattled city of Mariupol. Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS

Russia’s military has said it will open humanitarian corridors from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol on May 5, 6 and 7 to allow civilians to leave the facility.

In an online posting, the military said the corridors would be open from 8am to 6pm Moscow time (0500 to 1500 GMT) each day. During this period Russian forces will cease any military activity and withdraw units to a safe distance, the army said.

Civilians that have been sheltering at the plant will be allowed to travel to Russia or Kyiv-controlled territory, the statement added.

So far, over 300 Ukrainians were evacuated from the battered city of Mariupol on Wednesday as President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the UN to help to rescue the remaining wounded trapped underneath the giant Azovstal steel plant.

Speaking to the nation in his usual evening address, Zelensky said 344 people were evacuated from Mariupol and nearby areas and headed northwest for the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is controlled by Kyiv.

But earlier in the day, he also pleaded with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to help rescue the wounded who are still sheltering at the plant.

“The lives of the people who remain there are in danger,” Zelensky told Guterres by phone.

In a statement, the Red Cross said it was “relieved that more lives have been spared” and called for renewed efforts to continue evacuations from the region “in light of the immense suffering of the civilians.”