Russia's war in Ukraine
More than 1,600 people have been evacuated from Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian region's Russia-backed administration said Monday.
Russia controls much of Zaporizhzhia and the evacuations come amid rumors of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, with the southern region likely to be a major target as Kyiv seeks to push back Moscow’s invasion.
Among the evacuees were 660 minors and 230 psychiatric patients, acting Gov. Yevgeny Balitsky said.
The Russia-backed official has said the evacuations, which began on Friday, were a "necessary measure" due to "intensified shelling of settlements" close to the front line.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of using evacuations to forcibly deport Ukrainians.
Read more about the evacuations here.
Source: CNN
