Amid escalating tensions along the Ukrainian-Russian border, Ukrainian authorities have launched mass evacuations of communities in the northern Sumy region, situated close to the border with Russia. Local officials reported on Friday that the evacuations were prompted by prolonged periods of intense shelling targeting the area.
The military administration of Sumy region, communicating through the Telegram messaging app, disclosed that over 180 residents residing near the Velikopysarska community, adjacent to the border, had been evacuated over the course of the past three days. Reports from Sumy have been consistent in highlighting Russian shelling in the region, but recent attacks have witnessed a significant escalation.
According to the regional administration, the affected areas within Sumy region are currently experiencing heightened tension, with three fatalities and 13 individuals sustaining injuries over the past five days alone. The gravity of the situation prompted the evacuation of more than 4,500 residents from 22 villages in Sumy region, although no specific timeframe was provided.
Velikopysarska, situated just a few kilometers from the village of Kozinka across the border in Russia, has been particularly impacted. Local authorities in Russia acknowledged an incursion by armed groups into Kozinka, resulting in substantial damage. The armed groups, purportedly comprised of Russians opposed to the Kremlin, claimed to be conducting a military operation in the area.
In response, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region in Russia, reported continued shelling in areas under his jurisdiction, resulting in one injury on Thursday. Despite touring border areas and asserting the absence of enemy forces in the region, tensions persist along the border.
Roman Starovoit, the governor of the neighboring Russian region of Kursk, revealed that air defense units intercepted and downed three Ukrainian drones on Thursday night, further exacerbating the volatile situation.
The mass evacuations and heightened military activities underscore the gravity of the situation along the Ukrainian-Russian border, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation and the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of civilians in the region.
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