Sergei Lavrov did not hold much hope that the second round of negotiations with Ukraine would yield much fruit. He was not far wrong. The Ukrainian delegation once again was a no-show at the agreed time and then sought to reschedule the negotiations to the following morning. Ukraine's US sponsors probably believe these 'mind games' disconcert their Russian opponents. It only shows them up as idiots.
On substantive matters, little was achieved, but the Russians did manage to achieve agreement on the opening of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from Maripol and Volnovakha. This was a strategy used by Russian negotiators in Syria to facilitate the de-escalation of hostilities. It interesting to see this approach being used in Ukraine.
In Mariupol, the corridor will commence from 11:00 (Kyiv time). Civilians will be evacuated along the route Mariupol - Nikolskoye - Rozovka - Pologi - Orekhov - Zaporozhye. The evacuation was agreed to take place from three locations by municipal buses:
- SK "Ilyichevets" (pr. Nakhimov, 53)
- Drama theater (Teatralnaya square, 1)
- Kalmiusskaya district administration - (pr. Metallurgov, 193)
Personal vehicles will be permitted to follow the buses, but would not be permitted to deviate from the approved route. Arrangements for Volnovakha were still being organized.
As a consequence of the arrangement, DPR and Russian troops were ordered to cease operations near Mariupol.
However, the ceasefire in Mariupol proved to be shortlived. Instructions to the Azov Brigade to allow the evacuation of civilians were ignored and Azov militia fired on people gathering at the collection points. Official Ukraine army units then engaged the Azov militia and there has been ongoing firefights between these sides. This is backed up by a leaked report from the Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine, Alexei Danilov, that the militias are out of control and do not follow the orders of the government. "There is a sharp conflict between "Azov" battalions and the Ukrainian Armed Forces." The full, brief report is worth quoting in full:
From: Secretary of the National Security Council of UkraineAround the Country.
To: Minister of Community and Territorial Development Chernyshev A.M.
Dear Alexei Mikhailovich!
I wish to inform you, that based on the situation on March 4, 2022, more than 40% of the territory of Ukraine is occupied and controlled by divisions of the Armed Forces of Russia.
Civilian population is continuing to hastily flee the country (based on the situation on March 4, 2022, more than 180 thousand persons).
More than 75% of the military potential of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been destroyed.
There is a sharp conflict between "Azov" battalions and the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The nationalist battalion no longer obeys orders.
We do not expect any real military help for Ukraine from the side of NATO.
In consideration of the above, I ask you to attend a closed extraordinary meeting...
Signed
Alexei Danilov
1. Kyiv. Fighting in Bucha and in the Gostomel area (where the Russian paratroopers seized the military airport on Day One). Fighting is going on west of Kyiv while pressure is gradually increased from the east as Russian forces block the retreat of Ukrainian forces in the pocket west of the LNDR. Chernihiv is blockaded. Fighting continues in the north of the city. Negotiations are underway on the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians or bring in supplies.
2. Kharkov is practically blocked by Russian forces. MLRS of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are actively working from within the city and are striking residential areas under Russian control. Russian forces continue their methodical hunt for concentrations of infantry and equipment that the enemy hides in the city.
3. Nikolaev. There is fighting within the city and to its south. It appears the Kulbakino airfield is fiercely contended, with it exchanging hands several times. The flagship of the Ukrainian Navy "Hetman Sahaydachny" was scuttled its harbour by its crew on Day One of the operation to prevent it falling into Russian hands (or its use by Ukraine?).
5. Energodar and ZNPP. Russian control has been finally established. Fighting continues at Vasilievka. The Pologi are occupied, which opens up the possibility of a strike on Gulyaipole.
6. Around the cauldron there is serious fighting as Russian troops approach Slavyansk and the Izyum-Slavyansk highway. Krasny Liman and Yampol are not far away. Fighting near the city of Severodonetsk, but not yet in the city itself. The prospects for the formation of the Severodonetsk pocket are growing. Most of the territory of the LPR has already been liberated. It remains to seal up the pocket around the last large grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the LPR.
8. Donetsk-Gorlovka. They continued to receive heavy Ukrainian shelling. Destruction and casualties.
9. Volnovakha. The cleanup, according to Pushilin, will take several days. The enemy suffered heavy losses in men and equipment in the Volnovakha area.
10. Transnistria. The Armed Forces of Ukraine blew up a bridge on the border with the republic in order to impede the hypothetical invasion by Russian peacekeeping troops in any effort to pressure Odessa from the west. There is still no landing of Russian forces in Odessa after a week of reports, but the Russian navy has appeared off the coast from time to time.
Putin confirmed again today that the operation will continue until the Russian Federation achieves all its goals. There will be no concessions.
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