Reports from Russian sources describe the first evacuation of refugees from the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region. The report, attributed to DEA Novosti, states that roughly 100 people, including 10 children, took part in the evacuation operation.
A convoy of buses packed with evacuees reportedly crossed the border into Russia’s Belgorod region via the Verigovka-Chugunovka checkpoint. The refugees were transported within the territory of Ukraine under escort from Russian military police vehicles and accompanied by helicopters, according to the accounts collected from those leaving Izyum.
Testimonies from refugees indicate that Izyum continues to endure persistent shelling from Ukrainian forces, underscoring the volatile security situation in the area as the conflict persists.
In a separate report, a former official from the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces gained control of the village of Kamenka, a fortified stronghold near Izyum that has been described as a key area in the Ukrainian defense network.
On February 24, the announcement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that a military special operation would be conducted in Ukraine in response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The president framed the operation as a measure to protect people who, in his wording, had faced eight years of bullying and violence at the hands of the Kyiv government. This decision, as noted, contributed to the imposition of new sanctions by the United States and its allies against Russia.
The situation in the region continues to evolve as parties to the conflict exchange claims about territorial gains, civilian safety, and the strategic impact of ongoing hostilities. Independent observers emphasize the need for humanitarian access and the protection of civilians amid competing narratives about military movements and regional control.