London, March 31 : Two days since Russia assured its withdrawal, UK Defence Ministry on Thursday said the Russian forces have continued shelling and missile strikes in Ukraine’s Chernihiv. “Despite Russian statements indicating an intended reduction of military activity around Chernihiv, significant Russian shelling and missile strikes have continued,” the ministry tweeted. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Chernihiv Governor said the Russian attacks have continued in the region despite Moscow’s promise to scale down its military operations. In a Telegram message, Governor Viacheslav Chaus said, “The ‘decreased activity’ in the Chernihiv region was demonstrated by the enemy carrying out strikes on Nizhyn, including air strikes, and all night long they hit Chernihiv.” The UK ministry said that heavy fighting will likely take place in the suburbs of Kyiv. It said, “Russian forces continue to hold positions to the east and west of Kyiv despite the withdrawal of a limited number of ts. Heavy fighting will likely take place in the suburbs of the city in coming days. “Heavy fighting continues in Mariupol, a key objective of Russian forces, however Ukrainian forces remain in control of the centre of the city.” On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin said that the ministry has decided to significantly decrease military activity in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine. Meanwhile, a local ceasefire was announced on Thursday by the Russian Defence Ministry to allow the civilians to be evacuated from Ukraine’s besieged port city of Mariupol, according to international media. A humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, via the Russian-controlled port of Berdiansk, would be opened, the ministry said. VP RNJ