Ukraine has denied Russia’s demand for a safe passage to people in the port city, Mariupol on the condition of the surrender of the people.
If the defenders of a city laid down their arms, civilians could depart as long as they wished.
The government in Kiev, backed by the US and other Western nations, says it will never surrender the strategic port city of Mariupol to Russia.
There are an estimated 300,000 people trapped there, with supplies dwindling and aid being prevented from entering.
Residents have endured weeks of continuous bombardment, with no electricity or running water.
Ukraine was given until 5 a.m. Moscow time (2 a.m. GMT) on Monday to accept the terms of the Russian offer, according to Gen Mikhail Mizintsev, who made the announcement on Sunday evening.
Russian soldiers would have set up safe routes out of Mariupol at 10:00 Moscow time (07:00 GMT), initially for Ukrainian troops and “foreign mercenaries” to surrender and depart the city, according to the plans.
After two hours, the Russians promised that humanitarian convoys would be able to enter the city safely once the de-mining of the roads was completed.
Russian Gen. Mizintsev acknowledged that a large humanitarian catastrophe was taking place, and said the offer would have allowed civilians to flee safely to either the east or west.
The offer was met with resistance from Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who stated that his country would not lay down arms in the city.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, she added, “There can be no question of giving up, laying down weapons.”
On Sunday, Pyotr Andryushenko, a mayoral adviser in Mariupol, vowed that the city’s defenders would continue to fight.
He said that Moscow’s humanitarian promises could not be trusted and that unverified remarks made by Mariupol officials in recent days alleging that Russian forces have been forcing some of its citizens to leave Ukraine were correct.
“When they talk about humanitarian corridors, what exactly do they imply? They really carry out forced repatriation of our people to Russia,” Andryushenko added.
The BBC has found no evidence to support these allegations. Mariupol is a critical strategic target for Russia, and it has seen some of the war’s most deadly combat.
Since the fall of October, Russian troops have ringed Aleppo’s town center, trapping its citizens inside without power, water, or gasoline.
Communication with civilians trapped inside is limited, but officials believe that food and medical resources will soon run out, and Russia has prevented any humanitarian aid from reaching the region.
Since the invasion began, Mariupol has seen some of the most violent battles in Ukraine, with Russian troops so far failing to capture the city from its defenders.
According to one calculation, 90% of the city’s structures have been damaged or destroyed in attacks since the war started three weeks ago, and authorities estimate at least 2,500 deaths but the actual number may be much higher.
On Sunday, authorities in Mariupol announced that a school for the arts with 400 individuals had been hit as well.
