The municipality of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, surrounded by Russian forces, announced Sunday that it will begin efforts to evacuate civilians, after previous efforts failed due to violations of the ceasefire.

"As of 12:00 (10:00 GMT), the evacuation of the civilians will begin," city officials said in a statement, explaining that a ceasefire had been agreed with the Russian-led forces surrounding the city.

Earlier Saturday, Russia announced a ceasefire to allow civilians to be evacuated from two cities in eastern Ukraine, one of which is the besieged strategic port of Mariupol, after consultations between Kyiv and Moscow.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said that “the Russian side declares a regime of silence and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha," starting today, March 5, at 07:00 GMT.