A pause in the fighting in Ukraine to ensure the safe passage of civilians from Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy, as well as all other places affected by the conflict, has been called for by UN Secretary General António Guterres.

In his tweet on Sunday, he noted that such a pause would also ensure the delivery of vital humanitarian supplies to those who remain.

According to U.N. figures, civilian casualties from Feb. 24, when Russia began its war against Ukraine, through March 5 included 1,123 civilians, including 364 deaths, including 25 children.

"The real figures are much higher, especially in government-controlled territory, as many reports from places where such cases have occurred still require further confirmation, while information from some places where fighting is ongoing is delayed," notes the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In addition, the war launched by Russia has led to the number of refugees from Ukraine exceeding 1.5 million, the UN said on Sunday.