Ukraine Blasts Russia's 'Impractical' Evacuation Route for Civilians Trapped in Bloody War

Russian forces announced a cease-fire and authorized humanitarian passages in several cities in Ukraine on Monday, but it continues to attack residential areas with tanks and rockets.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, per USA Today, the move will allow evacuees to flee safely from the capital of Kyiv, the southern city of Mariupol, and the towns of Sumy and Kharkiv.

The Ukrainian government, on the other hand, has condemned Russia's unilateral announcement of exit routes for civilians fleeing the battlefield.

Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, called the Russian proposal "unacceptable, noting that all but one of the lanes lead to Russia or its ally Belarus.

For an official in the United Kingdom, Russia's declaration does not make sense.UK Europe Minister James Cleverly said that the set evacuation routes which lead "into the arms of the country that is currently destroying yours is nonsense."

Ukraine Defense Secretary Aleksey Danilov said that Russia's declaration goes against the "agreements reached" and blocks the entry of humanitarian supplies and "tries to create a false picture of a 'joyful meeting'" of the invaders by civilians, as per CNN report.

One humanitarian organization official commented on Russia's announcement as "impractical" and "cynical," lacking proper preparation.

A Disguised Ultimatum?

The Russian proposal released on Monday doesn't reasonably appear to have been developed in cooperation with any international institution, such as the UN or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to Russian news agency TASS, once the civilians reach Russia, they would be moved via "air, rail and road transport to selected destinations or temporary accommodation point.". However, most of the routes would pass through areas where there are ongoing fights.

Russia's recent declaration also seems to have been framed as an ultimatum to the Ukrainian officials as another round of talks is due to get underway.

The declaration came after two failed attempts over the weekend to open a corridor from the besieged port of Mariupol, which the International Committee of the Red Cross attempted to facilitate.

Distrust on the routes intensified when civilian evacuations were halted within hours on Saturday and Sunday, allegedly due to Russian forces violating an agreed-upon truce.

Fastest-Growing Refugee Crisis Since World War II

Meanwhile, the death toll is uncertain. The United Nations has acknowledged a few hundred civilian deaths but cautioned that the figure is likely underestimated.

According to police in the Kharkiv region, a total of 209 individuals have died in the area, with 133 were civilians. The Russian incursion has caused 1.7 million people to evacuate Ukraine, according to the UN's top official.

ABC News reported that a refugee agency described the situation as "The fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II" as hundreds of thousands of people are stuck in cities under attack.

In Mariupol, where an estimated 200,000 people were attempting to flee, there are shortages in the supply of food, water, medicine, and practically all other commodities.

Both Russia and Ukraine are blamed for the breakdown of a cease-fire in Ukraine over the weekend.