The Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday said it is halting its offensive at 10 am local time on Saturday for enabling Civilian residents to leave the encircled Azov Sea port city of Mariupol, around 110km (68 miles) from Donetsk.
Earlier Russia opened another humanitarian corridor for the nearby town of Volnovakha, also controlled by the Ukrainians.
Moscow said that safe passages had been agreed on with Ukraine. Russians and Ukrainians met for the second round of peace talks in Belarus on Thursday.
Mariupol officials said civilians have until 4 pm local time to leave by car or bus via three evacuation routes. The evacuation will take place “in several stages spanning several days,” officials announced.
Mariupol Mayor Vadim Boychenko said the ceasefire will allow work to commence on the restoration of electricity and water supply, as well as cell phone service. He added that local officials will also seek to deliver food and first-aid kits.
Mikhail Podolyak, a member of Ukraine’s negotiation team, confirmed earlier that the two sides had spoken about the possibility of temporarily ceasing hostilities in order for civilians to evacuate.