Over 4,000 evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast in past 48 hours, says regional governor
Approximately 4,073 people have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast in the past two days amid an intensifying Russian offensive, regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported on Telegram on May 12.
The evacuation is occurring in areas where civilian lives and safety are at risk, including the Chuhuiv district, where 1,377 residents were evacuated, the Kharkiv district with 2,097 evacuations, and the Bohodukhiv district, where 29 people were moved. Additionally, volunteers evacuated another 570 individuals.
Temporary shelters have been set up for those in need, with nearly 900 additional spaces now available.
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About 70% of the evacuees have already secured housing arrangements, staying with relatives or friends. Besides temporary shelter, evacuees are receiving humanitarian, medical, psychological, and legal assistance, according to Synehubov. An agreement with Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) has been made to provide extra trains should the need for evacuations increase.
Earlier, Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that Russian troops had established two bridgeheads along the border in Kharkiv Oblast, capturing about 100 square kilometers of the border strip in two days.
Russia's offensive in Kharkiv Oblast
Russian occupation forces attempted to penetrate Ukraine's defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast at 5 a.m. on May 10. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack.
The Russians also heavily shelled border settlements.
Read also: Ukrainian troops counterattack Russian forces in Kharkiv Oblast's 'gray zone'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian troops had initiated a new wave of counteroffensives on this front. He also announced the redeployment of Ukrainian forces to the Kharkiv sector.
The General Staff reported on May 10 that ongoing battles in Strilecha, Pylna, Borysivka, Oliynykove, and Ohirtseve in Kharkiv Oblast. Ukrainian forces also launched counterattacks near Lyptsi and Vovchansk.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi called the situation in Kharkiv Oblast “escalated" on May 12.
On the same day, National Police patrol officer Oleksiy Kharkivsky reported a significant deterioration in Vovchansk: the town was nearly destroyed, and most residents had evacuated.
On May 12, a source within military circles told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces were conducting assault operations in the directions of Pylyna — Lukianets and Ogurtsove — Buhrovatka in Kharkiv Oblast.
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