Kharkiv Authorities Order Evacuation of 267 Children and Families as Russian Shelling Intensifies

The Defense Council of the Kharkiv region has decided to enforce the evacuation of families with children from four settlements in the Velykyi Burluk community and 12 villages in the Kindrashivska community, according to a statement by the Governor of the Kharkiv Region, Oleh Syniehubov, on January 23.

According to the Regional Defense Council, the designated villages in the Velykyi Burluk community are home to 90 children from 56 families, while in the Kindrashivska community, 177 children from 108 families are subject to evacuation.

“In total, 267 children and their families must be relocated to safe areas from 16 settlements,” Syniehubov wrote, adding that the decision was made due to intensified Russian forces shelling.

“We urge families with minors to prioritize their safety and leave the dangerous areas.”

The Governor added that evacuation routes have already been established, and temporary housing for the evacuees has been secured.

In the summer of 2024, over 3,000 children were forcibly deported from the temporarily occupied areas of the Kherson region by Russian authorities, Ukraine’s Ombudsman for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets stated on January 11.