In the northern part of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, where active hostilities are taking place, Russian troops are taking residents prisoner. The first executions of civilians by the Russian military have already been reported, according to the Interior Minister of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.
According to Klymenko, according to current information, the Russian military, who were trying to gain a foothold in the city, did not allow residents to evacuate: people were abducted and driven to basements.
"We know about the first shootings of civilians by the Russian military. In particular, one of the residents of Vovchansk tried to escape on foot, refused to follow the commands of the Russian invaders - the Russians killed him," Klymenko says.
Investigators of the Ukrainian National Police in the Kharkiv region have opened a criminal investigation into the Russian violation of the rules and customs of war.
"Evacuation teams of the National Police of Ukraine continue to work in Vovchansk despite intense fighting and are trying to ensure further evacuation of people," he says.
Situation in Kharkiv region
Last week the enemy intensified its offensive in the Kharkiv region. Vovchansk is currently suffering the most in this area, as it is one of the priority targets of the invaders for occupation.
However, according to the General Staff, the occupiers did not achieve the expected success, and yesterday it became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to partially push the Russian invaders out of Vovchansk.
In particular, yesterday the spokesman for the Khortytsia military command, Nazar Voloshyn, reported that the Russian invaders' attempts to break through the Ukrainian defense in the Kharkiv sector had been stopped. The situation has stabilized a bit, but the fighting continues.
