Ukrainian authorities launch mass evacuation in northern region

(Reuters) – Ukrainian officials have initiated large-scale evacuations of communities in the northern Sumy region near the Russian border due to prolonged and intense shelling, as reported by local authorities on Friday. The military administration of Sumy region conveyed on the Telegram messaging app that over 180 residents living near the Velikopysarska community, which is adjacent to the border, have been evacuated in the last three days.

Reports of Russian shelling have been recurring in Sumy, but the attacks have escalated in recent times. The regional administration highlighted that the affected areas are considered the most volatile in Sumy region, with three fatalities and 13 injuries reported over the past five days.

According to the administration, more than 4,500 residents from 22 villages in Sumy have been evacuated, although no specific timeline was provided. Velikopysarska is situated just a short distance from the village of Kozinka in Russia, where authorities reported significant damage caused by armed groups infiltrating the area this week. These groups claimed to be Russian dissidents opposed to the Kremlin and stated that they were engaged in a military operation.

The governor of Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, disclosed that shelling in his jurisdiction persisted on Thursday, resulting in one individual getting injured. After inspecting border areas on Wednesday night, Gladkov confirmed the absence of enemy forces in the region.

On the other hand, the governor of the neighboring Russian region of Kursk, Roman Starovoit, mentioned that air defense units had successfully brought down three Ukrainian drones on Thursday evening. Nonetheless, Reuters was unable to authenticate the reported military activities from either side.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by David Gregorio)