The Russia-installed “government” of the occupied parts of the Kharkiv region of Ukraine has called upon local residents to leave the area for a while, as per a message on the Telegram channel of the region’s “authorities”.
“Due to the increasing cases of shelling by Ukraine’s Armed Forces and to avoid victims among civilians, the military-civilian administration of the Kharkiv region recommends you leave the territory of our region for a while until favourable living conditions are established,” the message says.
The “administration” has also promised to help those who go to Russia upon leaving with accommodation.
As of March 2023, Russia controlled 29 settlements in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, in which up to 3,000 people lived in total, per previous statements by head of the occupation “administration” Vitaly Ganchev.
At the same time, the Ukrainian police stated in December 2022 that Russia was occupying 28 settlements with the overall population of 200-300 people.
On 5 May, Russia-installed “authorities” of the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine declared evacuation of residents of 18 local settlements.