Russia Ukraine War
Russia fails to keep ceasefire in Ukraine's Mariupol, Putin warns of 'colossal and catastrophic consequences' if no-fly zone created
The evacuation of residents from the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol was postponed Saturday, city officials said, accusing Russian forces of breaking their temporary ceasefire as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West of the war spilling out of Ukraine if a no-fly zone is set up.
Mariupol officials said: "The Russian side does not adhere to the ceasefire and has continued shelling both Mariupol itself and its environs, and for security reasons, the evacuation of the civilian population has been postponed."
Russian forces had promised a temporary ceasefire from 10 am Moscow time to open humanitarian corridors out of the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha, Russia's defence ministry said, Interfax reported.
Negotiations were underway "to establish a ceasefire and ensure a safe humanitarian corridor", Mariupol authorities added.
"Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by that country," the Russian leader said during a meeting with Aeroflot employees, AFP reported.
Putin spoke of "colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but also the whole world", if such a zone was created.
While blockading Mariupol for days, Russian forces snapped its electricity, food, water, heating and transportation links amid harsh winter, forcing people to gather for the evacuation.
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