Ukraine orders evacuation of families from key city of Pokrovsk

Let’s now turn our attention back to eastern Ukraine, where the government has urged families with children to evacuate the town of Pokrovsk as Russian troops continue to move closer to the city.

“Recently the front has come too close,” Donetsk governor Vadym Filashkin says, ordering the “compulsory” evacuation of children and their parents from 14 localities in the area.

Over 53,000 people, including almost 4,000 children still live in the town, Filashkin adds.

“Children’s safety is the responsibility of adults. When our cities are within range of virtually any enemy weapon, the decision to evacuate is necessary and inevitable,” he says.

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister also called for the evacuation of Myrnograd and Selidove. Writing on her Telegram channel, she says “If you are not involved in the defence of settlements, then you should leave for safer regions”, adding “your presence there interferes with the work of the defence forces”.

For months, Russia has been making advances into eastern Ukraine, capturing a number of villages close to Pokrovsk – a key logistics hub for Ukraine – over the last few days.