KYIV: Ukraine on Thursday urged civilians near the northeastern front line to evacuate as Moscow ramped up an assault to seize the territory already once captured during the conflict.
Kupiansk and the surrounding parts were liberated by Ukrainian troops last September, but Russia has since pushed back on the region.
Given the challenging security situation and the intensifying shelling by Russian forces in Kupiansk community, the citizens are being urged to evacuate to a safer place, the city administration said, naming thirt-seven settlements wedged between the town and Russian lines, AFP reported.
It said residents could evacuate to Kharkiv, about 90 kilometres west, where they would have the choice to shift to safer areas, urging the elderly, children, and the sick to leave.
It said that the residents shoud not forget their safety and the safety of heir loved ones.
The warning comes as Russia’s defence ministry said its military had improved their position along the front line near the town, following reporting advances earlier in the week.
It said in a daily briefing that in the course of offensive operations near Kupiansk, assault battalions of the Western battle group improved their positions along the forward area of the front line.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive
Ukraine started its highly anticipated counteroffensive operation in June this year after proceuring Western weapons in large amounts, but it has acknowledged tough battles as it struggles to make headway.
Moscow said earlier Thursday it downed eleven Ukrainian drones near the Crimean peninsula and 2 headed for Moscow, in the latest wave of strikes targeting Russia and Russian-held territory.
The Russian defence ministry said in a statement that as a result of the foiled attacks, there were no injuries or damage.
Russia was largely spared in the early months of the battle but the number of drone strikes on Moscow has risen in recent months, with the capital city targeted multiple times this week.
