Thousands Evacuated From Ukraine's Kharkiv Region Amid Renewed Russian Offensive
Thousands of Ukrainians have fled northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region in the face of a renewed Russian offensive and the opening of a new front in the war.
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram Monday that over 5,700 people had been evacuated so far, as Russian troops captured at least nine settlements and villages after surging across the border on May 10.
The Kharkiv region, home to Ukraine’s second-largest city, has faced regular shelling throughout the war and much of the civilian population had already fled prior to the latest offensive.
Local authorities and volunteers are working to evacuate remaining residents from villages under heavy shelling, while the Ukrainian military, stretched thin and facing ammunition shortages, has struggled to respond to the offensive.
MT has collected photos of the evacuation efforts:
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram Monday that over 5,700 people had been evacuated so far, as Russian troops captured at least nine settlements and villages after surging across the border on May 10.
The Kharkiv region, home to Ukraine’s second-largest city, has faced regular shelling throughout the war and much of the civilian population had already fled prior to the latest offensive.
Local authorities and volunteers are working to evacuate remaining residents from villages under heavy shelling, while the Ukrainian military, stretched thin and facing ammunition shortages, has struggled to respond to the offensive.
MT has collected photos of the evacuation efforts:
Oksana Velychko (C), 45, gathers with her children and relatives from Vovchansk after arriving at an evacuation point in the Kharkiv region. Vovchansk, a town with a pre-war population of around 17,500, has been the focal point of the latest attack.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
An elderly woman from Vovchansk sits with her dog in a minivan at an evacuation point in the Kharkiv region.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
Evacuees arrive by bus at an evacuation point in the Kharkiv region.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
An evacuee from a border settlements in Kharkiv holds her cat.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
A volunteer helps an elderly woman who was evacuated from the Vovchansk as she arrives at an evacuation point in Kharkiv.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
An elderly resident of a border settlement in Kharkiv is evacuated.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Residents of border settlements evacuate as Russian forces push toward the city of Kharkiv.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
A psychologist from the State Emergency Service provides support to an elderly evacuee.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
A State Emergency Service psychologist speaks to an evacuated resident.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Russian shelling killed a 73-year-old woman in Vovchansk.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Vovchansk after Russian shelling. The town had a pre-war population of around 17,500 but volunteers working in the region estimate that only 200 to 300 people remain.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
