Russia employs 'filtration camps' to halt evacuation from occupied Luhansk region

Artem Lysohor, the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, stated this in an interview with LIGA.net.

The official reminded that only about 5% of the Luhansk region remains under the control of the Ukrainian government, with 95% of the region occupied by Russia.

"The territories controlled by Ukraine are under constant Russian fire. Most of those who still live in settlements in the war zone are elderly. They agree to evacuate only when the Russian forces deprive them of their homes," noted Lysohor. 

According to him, in the occupied areas, Russia is forcing residents to stay in the cities that have been destroyed.

"Despite Russia's claims of 'one nation', there are filtration camps on the border with Russia. The exact number is unknown, but one of them is located in Kolotylivka, near a pedestrian crossing to Russia. Russia openly acknowledges and boasts about these camps," noted Lysohor.

He explained that these camps are used by occupying army to prevent residents of TOT from evacuating.

"The routes out of the region are blocked both towards free Ukraine and towards Russia. Russia is forcing people to stay in the devastated cities, refusing to restore any communications, and actively resettling the area with Russians," said the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration.

• Petro Andriushchenko, the advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, says that almost 99% of the city and district population have been "filtered".