Local governor says Russia is breaking promises on humanitarian corridor for Mariupol

An interior view shows a children's home damaged in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

The governor of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Friday accused Russia of breaking its promises in terms of allowing humanitarian aid to reach the city of Mariupol, which is encircled by Russian troops.

"Humanitarian deliveries, despite all the agreements and promises of the Russian side, are not being carried out," Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said in a televised address. "The humanitarian corridor ... is essentially not operational."

Repeated efforts to deliver aid to Mariupol and help civilians evacuate have failed, with both sides blaming the other.

A view shows the building of a theatre destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Hugh Lawson7)

Local residents seek refuge in a children's home damaged in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Service members of pro-Russian troops prepare to fire an anti-tank grenade launcher during fighting in Ukraine-Russia conflict in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine March 31, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

A view shows a road and buildings damaged in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer