Head of the Donetsk Regional Civil-Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko has said that the ceasefire will be introduced from 9:00 to 16:00, and the evacuation of the civilian population of Mariupol will begin from 11:00.

"It's official! In Mariupol, the evacuation of the civilian population begins. Today, March 5, from 9:00 to 16:00, the ceasefire will be introduced. From 11:00, the evacuation of the civilian population begins. The humanitarian green corridor is laid along the route Mariupol - Nikolske - Rozivka - Polohy - Orikhiv – Zaporizhia," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Saturday morning.

The evacuation of the population will take place from three locations by municipal buses: Sports Complex Ilyichevets; Drama Theater; Kalmius District Administration.

"Also, following the route of the humanitarian corridor during the period of ceasefire (from 9:00 to 16:00), it will be possible to leave the city by personal transport. A huge request to all drivers leaving the city to contribute to the evacuation of the civilian population as much as possible – take people with you, fill the transport as much as possible," the head of the Regional State Administration said.

Kyrylenko also stressed that it is strictly forbidden to deviate from the route of the humanitarian corridor. According to him, there will be several stages of evacuation over several days.

In turn, mayor Vadym Boichenko addressed the townspeople: "Dear Mariupol residents, from today the evacuation of the civilian population begins in the city. This is not an easy decision, but, as I have always said, Mariupol is not streets and houses. Mariupol is its inhabitants, it is you and me. And our main task has always been and remains to protect people. In conditions when our hometown is constantly under ruthless fire from the occupiers, there is no other solution than to enable residents, that is, you and me, to leave Mariupol safely."