Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian National Guard exchanged accusations about the repeated failure of an opportunity to open a humanitarian corridor for Mariupol citizens. This afternoon, the Ukrainian city had to evacuate some of the 400,000 residents trapped by the surrounding Russian forces. Only 300 people managed to leave Mariupol out of the planned 200,000.

In a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russia to declare a general ceasefire immediately. Erdogan has expressed readiness to contribute to finding a peaceful solution as soon as possible. In response, Putin said that a halt to the Russian military operation was possible only if Kyiv ceased hostilities and complied with Moscow's demands, TASS reported.