The Russian military said on Tuesday that it had enforced a new ceasefire in Ukraine and opened "humanitarian corridors" in five cities.
In the capital Kiev as well as in the major cities of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and the particularly embattled port city of Mariupol, people should be able to get to safety.
The ceasefire came into effect at 0700 GMT, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said.
The cessation of fighting is considered a prerequisite for the functioning of escape corridors in the embattled cities. One focus is the port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, which is currently besieged by Russian forces.
There, according to the Red Cross, 200,000 people are waiting to get out of the city via various routes.
Fourth attempt in Mariupol
In Mariupol, this is now the fourth attempt to bring people to safety. They are to be brought out by bus and car.
According to the Ukrainian authorities, assembly points are also being set up in the city for this purpose.
According to Kiev, representatives of Ukraine and Russia agreed on details during a third round of negotiations on Monday.
