Ukrainian authorities have evacuated over 4,000 people from border areas near Russia in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, following a sudden ground offensive by Moscow that began last Friday, confirmed regional governor Oleh Synehubov on Sunday.
Synehubov announced via social media that a total of 4,073 individuals had been evacuated in the wake of the Russian forces claiming control over five villages in the region.
Synehubov had reported on Saturday that hundreds had been evacuated from areas adjacent to the Russian border in the Kharkiv region.
He detailed that “a total of 1,775 people were evacuated,” mentioning that artillery and mortar attacks had targeted 30 towns in the region in the last 24 hours, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Russian forces have made limited advances in the border area, which Ukraine had recaptured nearly two years ago after Moscow’s forces had initially taken large swathes of it.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that its units had taken control of five towns in the Kharkiv province and had captured 34 Ukrainian soldiers.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the Northern Army’s forces had overtaken the towns of Borosovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletenivka, Belnaya, and Streletchiya in the Kharkiv province.
Russia announced on Saturday that it had seized control of six villages in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region following a surprise ground offensive.
The Russian Defense Ministry declared the capture of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna, Strilecha, and Keramik, the latter located in Donetsk.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed heavy clashes near the border, with their forces engaged in fierce resistance against the advancing Russian troops.
Despite efforts to contain the enemy’s advance, fighting persisted in the border area, leading to the evacuation of 1,775 individuals from the conflict zone.
