"Everyone who wants to has the opportunity to be evacuated to either Russia or Ukraine," said Russian representative Jana Lantratova, according to Russian state-controlled media.
“Evacuations and the distribution of emergency aid have begun,” Ukrainian politician David Arakhamia wrote on Telegram.
Twenty-five buses with a total capacity of 750 people have been prepared.
A local ceasefire in the area came into effect on Tuesday and appears to be holding.
The humanitarian situation in the city has been described as very serious, and Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern about it in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
