For the first time since its invasion into Ukraine, Russia has announced that it is halting its warfare and has declared a ceasefire in the former Soviet colony to let the channels address the surging humanitarian crisis in the country. The announcement has come when the Russian troops are advancing in the Ukrainian territory and implies that it would be a brief cessation. 

On Saturday, Russia's Defence Ministry has said that Moscow has declared a partial ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors out of the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha. Russian news agencies quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying, "From 1000 am Moscow time, the Russian side declares a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave Mariupol and Volnovakha." 

These two cities lie in eastern Ukraine, where the war intensifies with the Russian forces gaining control over several cities including Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry has further said that the humanitarian corridors and exit routes have been agreed with the Ukrainian side. However, it is not yet clear how long the ceasefire will be in place and how long the evacuation routes would remain open. 

It has become the first ceasefire from the Russian side and with the announcement, humanitarian assistance has been initiated to evacuate and rescue the stranded people. While the ceasefire has drawn global attention with no clarity on its life, several countries, organizations, and companies have been imposing sanctions and embargos on Russia for invading Ukraine. 

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The French and Mexican missions to the UN are seeking the council's approval of a resolution calling for unhindered humanitarian access in Ukraine. Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the US and allies are providing extensive support for Ukraine. 

Though Kremlin had declared a ceasefire, the permanent cessation and resolution are not in sight as Putin aims to take the control of Ukraine completely. In a 90-minute call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin made an assertion that had convinced the former that the worst is yet to come for Ukraine. Putin has been sending strong signals - particularly to the West that the Zelensky regime would be ousted and the pro-Kremlin government would be installed in Kyiv. The war nears its tenth day and lakhs of Ukrainians have fled their homeland to seek refuge with their neighbours including Poland, Romania, and Hungary.