Ukraine works to rescue civilians from besieged Mariupol

• The Prime Minister announced a new rescue plan that will be enacted 

Ukraine intends to provide a safe passage for residents to evacuate from Mariupol in private cars on Friday, said Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, Reuters reported. 

Attempts to arrange a safe passage out of the southern port city encircled by the Russian military have failed several times.

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But those who manage to flee Mariupol will find buses waiting for them in Berdiansk, which will carry them to Zaporizhzhia, according to Vereshchuk.

"We will do everything in our power so that buses filled with Mariupol residents reach Zaporizhzhia today," Deputy Prime Minister said, the agency quoted. 

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The Russian military has besieged Mariupol, a vital Black Sea port city, and has shelled it mercilessly, trapping hundreds of thousands of residents.

According to a statement from the local council, as of March 17, around 30,000 people have been able to flee the city so far, but more than 350,000 people remain trapped in the city without enough food, water, or medical supplies. 

Picture Credits: The Guardian