Once every three days, Ukraine asks Russian defense ministry to allow evacuation from Melitopol

In the city of Melitopol, Zaporizhia region, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently destroyed an enemy military base, Russian invaders place weapon stocks in residential areas and hinder the opening of evacuation corridors for civilians.

Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov addressed the issue on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"If there’s such an opportunity, people should leave the occupied city. According to the latest data, some 60,000 to 70,000 people remained in the city. Unfortunately, there is no mass evacuation going on because the ruscists do not consent to evacuation as they need residents to remain in the city to provide cover for them, as a human shield. It is possible to evacuate by private transport or with the help of volunteers. The trip takes from 10 to 24 hours. Once every three days, our ministries, the President’s Office, file an appeal with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation with a demand to open a green corridor and set up an agreed evacuation convoy, but the Russians don’t agree to this," the official said.

Fedorov is sure that it is dangerous to remain in Melitopol today. The humanitarian crisis is unfolding, while the invaders have taken over local power networks where no dispatchers are currently available.

"We clearly understand that once an accident occurs, the city will face a blackout," he said.

Earlier it was reported that there has been no gas supply in Melitopol since Saturday after the gas main was damaged by enemy shelling.