Ukraine says Russia prevents residents from leaving Kharkiv region

The Russian military is not allowing civilians to leave the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, according to Ukraine's Interior Minister on Thursday (16). Ihor Klymenko said National Police investigators in the region had launched a criminal probe “into the violation of the rules and customs of war.”

A CNN could not independently verify Klymenko's claims and contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for advice.

Klymenko said teams to evacuate residents in Vovchansk were continuing to work “despite intense fighting and are trying to ensure a greater evacuation of people.”

Oleksii Kharkivskyi, the chief patrol officer of the Vovchansk Police Department, posted on Facebook on Thursday (16) that the departures are still ongoing and that “staying in the city is dangerous.”

The head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, also said on Thursday (16) that the sorties were continuing, but claimed that Russian forces used cluster munitions to attack a village in the Vovchansk area, injuring five people.

The city of Vovchansk, located about 60 km northeast of Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv, has been the scene of some of the most intense battles in areas close to the border in recent days as Russia continues efforts to advance further. deep in Ukrainian territory.