MOSCOW

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it received an order from President Vladimir Putin to halt combat operations in areas near the cities of Pokrovsk, Dymytrov, and Kupiansk to provide a safe passage for foreign journalists to a group of encircled Ukrainian soldiers.

"The Russian command is ready, if necessary, to cease hostilities for 5-6 hours in these areas, as well as to provide corridors for the unhindered entry and exit of groups of representatives of foreign media, including Ukrainian ones, subject to security guarantees for both journalists and Russian military personnel," the ministry said.

Putin claimed on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces have been encircled near the cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, adding that the Russian armed forces are prepared to implement a temporary ceasefire to allow a group of journalists to enter these areas, observe the situation, and speak with Ukrainian servicemen.