The city council of Ukraine's Mariupol said on Sunday that a ceasefire has been declared in the city from 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).

"From 12:00 p.m. (1000 GMT) the evacuation of the civilian population begins," city officials said in a statement, which said a ceasefire has been agreed with Russia.

Civilians will be able to evacuate Mariupol on buses leaving from three sites in the city, according to the officials, who added that private vehicles can also join the evacuation.

Private vehicles were asked to drive behind the buses.

Buildings have been destroyed by shelling in the Ukrainian city. A video filmed by one CGTN stringer on February 27 has shown what the city looks like after the attacks. Watch it here: