Russian medics flee from occupied Melitopol

Ivan Fedorov reported the information on Telegram.

"Melitopol hospital was virtually the only one that provided assistance to civilians. For almost a month now, injured and sick Russian soldiers have also been brought there, and, subsequently, there is less space for civilians. Today it is almost impossible to get medical assistance for several reasons. The first one is that a large number of doctors and medical staff left the temporarily occupied territory," the mayor said.

The reasons for the medics’ departure are the extremely high number of injured soldiers, for whose treatment there is not enough neither staff nor space, as well as the behaviour of the soldiers themselves, who are taken to hospitals in a state of alcohol and drug intoxication.

Fedorov emphasised that both residents of the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia region and of the Kherson region sought medical assistance in Melitopol.

Russian occupation authorities are trying to persuade the Ukrainian medical workers to "serve" the Russian army by threats and bribery, but face resistance.

In addition, currently 90% of pharmacies in Melitopol do not work, and those that remain are controlled by Russia. There is almost no assortment, if there are any analogues, their cost is many times more expensive than before the occupation.

Fedorov emphasises that vitamin C there is 16 times more expensive than in Ukraine.

• On December 29, 2022, Natalia Humeniuk, press centre head of the Security and Defense Forces of the South Operational Command, said on Espreso TV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would continue to pressure Russian troops in the occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region. They will increase the pressure and apply it for a long time.  
• On December 30, 2022, Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov said that Russian occupation authorities do not pay salaries to Russia’s supporters on the temporarily occupied territories.  
• On the night of January 2, sounds of explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Melitopol. Mayor Ivan Fedorov emphasises Russian losses.