Zelensky Issues Forced Evacuation Order for Civilians in Donetsk Province: "Must Evacuate as Soon as Possible"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 30th (local time) issued a mandatory evacuation order to residents of Donetsk Province in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian attacks are concentrated, according to AFP and other reports.

According to reports, President Zelenskyy said in a TV address that day, "The more people leave the Donetsk region as soon as possible, the less time the Russian army will have to kill more people." This statement came as Russian forces continue their strategy of gradually expanding occupied areas through shelling on the eastern front.

President Zelenskyy noted that there are hundreds of thousands of people currently in the Donetsk region, including tens of thousands of children, and emphasized, "Families with children must evacuate especially. Ukrainians who are in contact with people in the Donetsk region, please persuade them." He also said that all logistics and support operations are currently handled by the authorities and that compensation will be provided to evacuees, adding, "We will help. We are not Russia. We will do everything possible to save as many lives as possible and to minimize Russian terrorism."

President Zelenskyy stressed that not only Donetsk Province but also the neighboring Luhansk Province, both part of the combat zone in the Donbas region, must be evacuated by the hundreds of thousands remaining there. He appealed, "If there is an opportunity, tell those remaining in the Donbas combat zone to leave. Please persuade them that evacuation is essential."

Local media, citing Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, reported that evacuation must be completed before winter as natural gas supply to Donetsk Province has been cut off. The governor of Donetsk Province announced the previous day that six civilians were killed and 15 injured due to Russian airstrikes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.