KYIV, June 27 (Reuters) – Regional authorities on Monday urged civilians to urgently evacuate the eastern Ukrainian town of Lisichansk, which is under attack by Russian forces.
“Dear residents of the territorial community of the city of Lisichansk (…) Due to the real threat to life and health, we call on you to urgently evacuate,” wrote Serhiy Gada, the governor of the Lisichansk region. Luhansk, on the Telegram messaging app.
The situation in Lisichansk is “very difficult” added Serhiy Gada, who however did not specify how many civilians were still there.
About 100,000 people lived in the city before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Serhiy Gada said on Monday that Lisichansk was suffering “catastrophic” damage from shelling as Russian forces targeted the town after the fall of nearby Sievierodonetsk last weekend.
(Report Max Hunder; French version Alize Degorce, told by Kate Entringer)