Thousands of civilians are dying of starvation on the outskirts of Mariupol blocked by Russian invaders – in the village of Manhush and the village of Melekine in Donetsk region, Head of the Regional Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko has said.

"The Russian occupation authorities are carrying out [a policy of] the genocide of the Ukrainian people! Right now, in the captured Manhush and Melekine, thousands of Mariupol residents who managed to hide from Russian air bombs are dying of hunger. This is a crime against humanity," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

The Donetsk Regional Military Administration demands the occupation administration to comply with the rules of warfare and provide civilians with water and food, as well as enable them to leave the combat zone.

"We are ready to save our citizens – for this we need a safe corridor from the enemy. I appeal to all world leaders – press on the Kremlin. Don't let people die of hunger!" the head of the administration added.