Ukrainians race to flee besieged cities during limited Russian ceasefire

A ceasefire should allow citizens to flee Mariupol (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Ukrainian authorities are making a second attempt to evacuate civilians from a southern city pounded by a week-long Russian attack, as economic pressure on Moscow intensified and diplomats shuttled around Europe to try and end the war.

Evacuations from the port city of Mariupol were scheduled to take place during a 10am to 9pm local ceasefire on Sunday, Ukrainian military authorities said.