It's early to talk of mass evacuation from occupied part of Zaporizhzhia - Mayor of Melitopol

The Russian occupation authorities recommend residents of some occupied settlements in Zaporizhzhia region move out to Crimea or Melitopol, but there is no talk of a mass evacuation.

Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov said this during a briefing held at the International Summit of Cities and Regions, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"In the villages around Tokmak and Molochansk, cars with loudspeakers are driving around, announcing that they recommend moving out to Crimea or Melitopol. They also say that it is necessary to submit forms for children. They are going to evacuate them on May 5-7. However, we cannot say that mass evacuation from the temporarily occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia region has started yet," Fedorov said.

He also reminded that occupiers take out machinery and equipment from banks and kindergartens, dismantling air conditioners, and "nationalizing" residents' property.

Earlier, it was reported that Fedorov took part in the International Summit of Cities and Regions, which is being held in Kyiv. He spoke about the action plan to be taken after the de-occupation of Melitopol.

Nearly 100 representatives of foreign countries from all over the world attend this event, including heads of associations of cities and regions, representatives of the Congress of the Council of Europe and heads of Ukrainian communities and regions.