Some settlements of Kharkiv region prepare for mandatory evacuation of children - Vice PM

Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk said this during the telethon "United News", an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"A new region is being prepared - Kharkiv region is preparing for compulsory evacuation, including from some settlements - in a forced way for children," Vereshchuk said.

When asked to specify the number of settlements in question, the official replied: "I would like to wait, because the decision must first be made by the Kharkiv Regional Defense Council, and yesterday we had a conversation with Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Regional Defense Council, and he informed us that such a decision will be made, given our offensive actions. The enemy is responding, and we need to be ready. We must do everything to ensure that civilians do not suffer."

Vereshchuk added that the evacuation of children is "in full swing" in the settlements of the regions where mandatory evacuation of children has been announced.

"There are already several dozen children who have been taken out with their parents and relatives. We understand how important children's lives are. They have no place in the area of active hostilities," Vereshchuk emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported, in March 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a mechanism for the forced evacuation of children from active hostilities.