“Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation and its sharp aggravation in the cities of Kiev, Kharkov, Sumy and Mariupol, as well as at the personal request of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the Russian Armed Forces announce a ceasefire and open humanitarian corridors from 10.00 [07:00 GMT] March 7, 2022," Russian armed forces said in a statement.

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for 90 minutes to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Kiev, Kharkov, Sumy and Mariupol are currently under a heavy bombardment by Russian forces. (ILKHA)