SULAIMANI – The Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters day 11 on Sunday and is expected to increase the number of the refugees fleeing Ukraine to 1.5 million.
As Russia continued its attack, Kiyv sought for further Western help, more sanctions against Moscow and more weapons.
Moscow and Kiyv officials made futile attempts twice in the last 10 day for a full ceasefire to take place and third round of talks is expected to go ahead on Monday.
Russia on Saturday declared ceasefire near two besieged Ukrainian cities to establish a safe passage to civilians fleeing fighting, Russia’s state media reported.
Officials from the Ukrainian cities, however, said the partial ceasefire was not fully observed by Moscow.
Neighboring Poland, Romania and Slovakia have become main refuge for Ukrainians who could escape fighting.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed Ukrainians in a televised speech on Saturday night and asked the people in areas occupied by Russian troops to fight.
“We must go outside and drive this evil out of our cities,” he said, vowing to rebuild his nation.
Fleeing people are allowed to pass through a number of humanitarian corridors near the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha which were encircled by Russian troops, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.
The humanitarian corridors could provide a safe passage for 200,000 people from Mariupol and 15,000 from Volnovakha, the Ukrainian government said.
