Kharkiv evacuation: 26 Villages flee Russian attacks
Ukrainian authorities ordered the evacuation of 26 villages in the eastern Kharkiv region on Tuesday, citing escalating Russian attacks, as reported by News.ro.
"Given the situation, we are implementing a mandatory evacuation of the population from the communities of Kindrașivska and Kurilivska in the Kupyansk district," regional governor Oleg Sinegubov announced on social media.
The move affects 3,043 residents, including 279 children, across the 26 named localities. The Kupyansk district has been a focal point of renewed Russian offensives since summer 2023. Although Russian gains have been limited, they aim to penetrate Ukrainian defences.
This area was initially captured by Russia in February 2022, but a Ukrainian counteroffensive in September 2022 liberated the region, forcing Moscow's troops to retreat.
Frustrated by stalled ambitions to recapture territory in the east and south, Russia has shifted its focus back to the northeast, particularly Kupyansk, and the eastern town of Avdiivka.
While Kyiv claims to be resisting and inflicting heavy losses, it continues to plead with Western allies for weapons and ammunition to sustain its defence.
The Kharkiv region, bordering Russia, has borne the brunt of constant shelling, including attacks on residential areas. The October bombardment of the village of Groza during a funeral ceremony tragically killed over 50 of the 330 residents.
The evacuation order underscores the precarious security situation in the region and the challenges Ukrainian forces face in containing the renewed Russian offensive.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
