Russian forces said they were taking women and children out of the town of Kupyansk, an important transport hub in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv.
“We are simply forced to ensure the evacuation of the population at least women and children because the city is exposed to missile attacks by Ukrainian military units,’’ Vitaly Gantshev said.
Gantshev is the head of the Russian-appointed military administration, according to the state news agency TASS.
Kupyansk is at the intersection of several railway lines and main roads.
“It is considered strategically important as it is on the supply route for Russian troops marching towards the Donbas region.’’
Reports from Russian war correspondents indicate that the Ukrainian army has advanced about 20 kilometres into Russian-held territory near the town of Balakliya, about 60 kilometres from Kupyansk. (dpa/NAN)
