[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian authorities have issued an evacuation order for residents, stating that a Russian offensive on the Donbas region is imminent. There are concerns that if the recently stalled Russian forces refocus on their offensive, civilian casualties could increase significantly.
According to foreign media including CNN on the 6th (local time), Ukrainian authorities said that Russia is preparing a new offensive on the Donbas region, including Luhansk, after reorganizing its troops, and urged residents to evacuate promptly. To this end, they are planning to open 11 humanitarian corridors starting today.
Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk Province, posted on his Telegram that "If the Russian side permits, we will evacuate all residents," adding, "As we have seen so far, Russian forces do not always observe ceasefires for civilian evacuations." He emphasized, "I earnestly appeal to all residents to evacuate when it is safe and when buses and trains are available."
He indicated that a large-scale offensive is imminent, saying, "Although Russian forces have not yet completely broken through the Ukrainian defense line, they are destroying everything along the advance routes." In fact, Russian forces are reportedly expanding their occupied areas by heavily shelling some outskirts of Luhansk. Ukrainian authorities report that about 60% of the northwestern city of Rubizhne in Luhansk Province is under Russian control.
Earlier, Russia announced on the 25th of last month that it would focus on the complete liberation of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Since then, signs of troop withdrawals have been detected, especially around the capital Kyiv and the northern front.
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also stated at a press conference the previous day that "Russia will focus on fully controlling the Donbas region in the coming weeks." NATO foreign ministers are scheduled to hold a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on the 6th and 7th to discuss additional arms support for Ukraine.
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