Ukraine-Russia war, Moscow prepares assault on Kiev. Humanitarian corridors this morning

Second Monday of war between Russia and Ukraine. While awaiting the third round of negotiations between the delegations, scheduled for today, an alarm arrived early this morning from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that Russian troops were preparing for the assault on the Ukrainian capital Kiev. According to the Ukrainian military, the Russians are aiming for full control of Irpin and Bucha, just outside Kiev. The Russians are also aiming for the “tactical advantage to reach the eastern suburbs of Kiev through the districts of Brovarsky and Boryspil”. According to the adviser of the Interior Ministry, Vadym Denysenko, quoted by Ukrayinska Pravda, in the vicinity of Kiev “a fairly large amount of” Russian military and “Russian troops” equipment is concentrated. Meanwhile, Russia is ready to open humanitarian corridors in several cities of Ukraine this morning to allow the evacuation of civilians from the areas. The Russian military claims to have ordered a “ceasefire” in the Ukrainian cities of Kiev, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy from 10 am local time in order to allow humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of inhabitants from the areas, with the “ceasefire” announced after an appeal to this effect by French President Emmanuel Macron. This was reported by the Dpa agency, while there is still no confirmation from the Ukrainian side. Yesterday Macron had a new telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.