The Ukrainian authorities have decided on the mandatory evacuation of the population of the Donetsk region, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the population to leave, especially families with children. “We are not Russia. That’s why every life is important to us,” the president said, News.ro reports.

In the latest message on social networks, Zelenskyi states that there are hundreds of thousands of people with tens of thousands of children in the areas where the fiercest fighting is going on.

“Many people refuse to leave… But it really needs to be done (…) The sooner it is done, the more people leave Donetsk region now, the fewer people the Russian army will have time to kill. Therefore, if there is an opportunity, talk to those who still remained in the combat zone in Donbas. Please convince them to leave, especially if they are families with children. If you have the opportunity to help displaced people, do it,” said the President of Ukraine.

He stated that there is a government decision regarding mandatory evacuation from Donetsk region.

“Everything is being organized. Full support, full assistance – both logistics and payment. All that is needed is the decision of the people themselves, who have not yet made it themselves. Go, we will help you. We are not Russia. That is why every life is important to us. And we will use all available opportunities to save as many lives as possible and limit Russian terror as much as possible,” said President Zelensky.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk said that the Ukrainian authorities are making efforts to ensure that all citizens evacuated from the Donetsk region receive housing and social protection.

“200-220 thousand Ukrainians live in Donetsk region, including 52 thousand children. And it is the duty of the state and every adult citizen to ensure the protection of his life,” said Vereshchuk.

___

• Follow the latest events of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HotNews.ro