As 1.7 million people flee Russia's attack on Ukraine, Moscow on Monday announced new humanitarian corridors that would allow Ukrainian civilians to flee to Russia.
Humanitarian corridors to its territory were offered by Russia.
Humanitarian corridors are designed to reduce civilian casualties by allowing them to evacuate safely if they want to and for humanitarian aid like food and medical supplies to be delivered to areas of conflict.
All parties involved in the conflict must agree to the rules governing the corridors before they can be put in place.
Most agreements to set up a corridor will limit access to neutral parties like the United Nations or aid organizations, outline any restrictions on modes of transport permitted and clearly define the area and time of the safezone.
During the Bosnian War and the Syrian Civil War, humanitarian corridors were negotiated by a third party not involved in the fighting.
Russia offered to open humanitarian corridors in several Ukrainian cities on Monday, even as it continued its assault on major cities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the offer, which would only allow civilians to flee the country to either Russia or pro-Russia Belarus, as immoral and an effort to manipulate Western leaders.
Russian forces prevented civilians from leaving as they continued to shell the area after previous attempts to establish safe evacuate routes failed. The U.K.'s Ministry of Defence said the proposal was likely an attempt to deflect international condemnation. The Red Cross said that the route out of Mariupol was actually mined, which underscores the need for both parties to have a precise agreement.
There are other corridor proposals. Ukrainian officials have called for the opening of routes into western Ukraine and the European Union. The World Health Organization wants a humanitarian corridor to be opened so that humanitarian workers and supplies can reach people in need. The organization placed medical supplies in the capital before the conflict began.
The principle of humanity allows people to escape when war rages.
1.7 million people. According to the UN, how many refugees have fled Ukraine since February 24? More than 1 million people have fled to Poland. 4 million people are expected to flee and seek asylum as a result of the conflict.
Zelenskiy vows revenge after fleeing family killed in shelling of Irpin.
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