Russia says it has handed over peace proposals to Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a draft document of the peace proposals had been handed over to Ukraine.

"At present, our draft document has been handed over to the Ukrainian side, which includes absolutely clear, elaborated formulations. The ball is on their side, we are waiting for an answer," Peskov said.

When asked if there were any specific deadlines for Kyiv's reaction, Peskov said: "It depends on the Ukrainian side."

Later on Wednesday, the Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak confirmed the Ukraine has received Russia's proposals as part of the negotiation process, and is studying them.

Ukraine says deal reached on Mariupol civilian corridor

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Wednesday that Kyiv has reached a preliminary agreement with Russia on establishing a humanitarian corridor for civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol.

Vereshchuk said the route had been agreed for the evacuation of women, children and older people.

"Given the very difficult security situation, changes may occur during the corridor action," Vereshchuk said in a message posted on Facebook.

"We will put our best effort to make everything work as it should."

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said he hoped 6,000 people could be evacuated from the city on Wednesday, adding he hoped the preliminary agreement with Russia would hold. Ukraine has accused Russia of blocking previous attempts at evacuation.

More than 100,000 people remain in the city awaiting evacuation, the mayor said.

The southeastern Ukrainian port city was surrounded by Russian troops on March 1, shortly after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Both the port and the city are largely considered to have been destroyed.

Russia is reported to have been hitting the Azovstal steel plant, which is the main remaining Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, with bunker-busting bombs.

Ukraine's Azov battalion says hundreds of women, children and elderly civilians are sheltering at the site, with supplies running out.

Serhiy Volyna, the commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade at the plant, earlier on Wednesday called for an "extraction procedure."

He urged that everyone — soldiers, the wounded, and hundreds of civilians — be taken to safety on the territory of a third country.

"This is our appeal to the world," said Volyna. "This could be the last appeal of our lives. We are probably facing our last days, if not hours."