Plumes of Smoke Seen in Mariupol as Multiple Blasts Heard Near City, Sputnik Correspondent Says - Sputnik International

Mariupol is currently being blockaded by forces from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics amid the ongoing Russian special operation to demilitarise and "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

A Sputnik correspondent has said that plumes of smoke are being seen in Mariupol as multiple explosions are being heard near the city.

According to them, the blasts started at 13:00 Moscow time (10:00 GMT).

The reported development comes after Russia declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine as of 7:00 GMT on Saturday to help evacuate civilians from Mariupol and the city of Volnovakha.