Evacuation Orders in Eastern Ukraine Amid Intensifying Russian Airstrikes
Ukrainian authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for the city of Kupiansk and three other areas in the eastern Kharkiv region as Russian forces ramp up their military operations. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov announced the evacuation, highlighting the deteriorating situation due to ongoing Russian shelling. The city of Kupiansk, a vital railway hub, has been under heavy attack, leading to the inability to guarantee essential services like electricity, heating, and water. With approximately 4,000 residents still at risk on the eastern bank of the Oskol River and another 3,000 on the western bank, evacuation centers have been established in Kharkiv to assist those fleeing the conflict.
In the past 24 hours alone, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 19 battles in the Kupiansk area, with seven still in progress. The situation remains dire, with constant shelling hampering rescue and repair efforts.
Russian Drone Attacks Target Kyiv
As the situation escalates in eastern Ukraine, the capital city of Kyiv faced drone strikes late Tuesday, prompting officials to urge residents to seek shelter. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the attacks, which were directed towards the Troyshchyna area. Air defense units were activated in response, reflecting the heightened state of alert across the city and eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the southern Russian Belgorod region reported drone attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces, resulting in injuries to at least eight individuals, including minors. These incidents underscore the ongoing cross-border hostilities, with Ukrainian forces conducting operations against Russian targets in response to the conflict that has persisted since February 2022.
