Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Wednesday that 11 escape corridors have been set up in embattled cities in Ukraine.

In the southern city of Mariupol, one of the worst-hit by Russian attacks, a route for private vehicles leads in the direction of the city of Zaporizhzhya.

From the city of Berdyansk and other nearby locations, buses are planned to transport civilians to safety, though they are also able to leave by car.

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Another five corridors lead from contested areas in the east to the city of Bakhmut, Vereshchuk wrote on her Telegram news channel.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of sabotaging the evacuation of civilians from towns and cities in Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been struggling to make major gains in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance. (NAN)