Russian army introduces temporary ceasefire in 10 humanitarian corridors proposed by Moscow, 3 more suggested by Kyiv - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. March 9 (Interfax) - Russia is retaining a temporary ceasefire in humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, head of the Russian National Defense Control Center Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said.

"Today, at exactly 10 a.m. local time, in accordance with agreements reached on ten humanitarian corridors initiated by the Russian Federation and three more at the request of the Ukrainian side, the Russian Armed Forces introduced a temporary ceasefire which is being strictly observed until now," Mizintsev said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

No practical measures for the preparation of humanitarian convoys have been carried out so far, no one has ever arrived at the humanitarian corridors that have been opened, and the formation of organized humanitarian convoys has also not been recorded, he said.

"Since 10 a.m. local time, on the contrary, intensive redeployment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units and nationalistic battalions, the transfer of weaponry and military equipment, as well as the build-up of forces and means has been observed in all directions," the Russian general said.

"Moreover, since 9:57 a.m. local time, continuous artillery and mortar fire, including at positions held by Russian Armed Forces in the suburbs of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Mariupol, and in a number of other settlements, as well as in humanitarian corridors initiated by the Ukrainian side, practically has not ceased. There was intensive fire by nationalistic battalions using mortars in the sectors of Volnovakha, Zaporizhzhya, and Izium," he said.