The Russian Armed Forces will open a humanitarian corridor leading from Mariupol to Berdyansk and assist in the evacuation of foreign citizens who are held hostage by nationalists, TASS news agency reported, citing the defense ministry.

Meanwhile, a "regime of silence" will be observed during the process that started at midnight Moscow time Saturday, the ministry said.

The decision is said to have been made at the request of the Turkish president to his Russian counterpart.