"Heaviest shelling yet": evacuation civilians from Vovchansk community underway

Tamaz Hambarashvili, the head of the Vovchansk City Military Administration, said this in a comment to Hromadske Radio.

He noted that the authorities, police and volunteers are working together to help people leave.

“We are now evacuating the population. Most people are leaving by their own transport. But at the same time, together with the humanitarian center, we are organizing the evacuation of those locals who do not have their own cars. We work together with volunteers and the police. We are evacuating people from Vovchansk and nearby settlements,” said the head of the City Military Administration.

The evacuation is taking place because the Russian army is currently massively shelling the city.

“Locals say they have never seen such a shelling before. That is why it is dangerous to be in Vovchansk now. Since 3 a.m., there have been aerial bombardments, artillery and MLRS attacks,” explained Hambarashvili. 

There is currently no information about casualties or injuries resulting from the Russian shelling in Vovchansk, but there are reports of widespread destruction.

• The occupying Russian army has intensified its attacks in the northern direction. Russian troops are primarily attacking the city of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region.