Hundreds of civilians fled Ukrainian areas under Russian control on Sunday as part of an “evacuation” ahead of fears there will be intense fighting over an area home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
A Ukrainian mayor has criticized Moscow’s move as a cover-up operation to move troops, while the UN nuclear guard raised concerns about fierce fighting during a possible counter-offensive in the spring when Ukrainian forces are expected to try to regain control of areas occupied by Russia control have been lost.
Russian forces announced the evacuation of 18 settlements on Friday, and civilians rushed to evacuate those areas over the weekend. Ukrainian Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov called it a “crazy panic” as thousands of cars were stuck on the streets with a five-hour wait, BBC reported.
Meanwhile, the head of Russia’s paramilitary group Wagner signaled on Sunday that his men would continue fighting in the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, a reversal from an earlier threat – made in video filmed next to bodies – to withdraw from there when he left Moscow criticized for not providing his group with the ammunition they needed.
Russian defense officials have reportedly had reservations about supporting Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose Wagner mercenaries have played a key role in securing control of Ukraine’s eastern territories.
In Bakhmut, Ukraine accused Russia of using phosphorous ammunition to attack the besieged city.
Russia’s federal security services claimed on Sunday they had foiled an attempt by Ukraine’s secret service to attack a military airfield in central Russia with drones loaded with explosives. Kiev has not responded to the allegation, but has previously attributed such actions to “false flag” operations or Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin.