Mandatory evacuation of families with children in several settlements of the Mezhova community in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region began on April 25, according to an announcement on the official page of the Mezhova Village Territorial Community. The decision was made by order of the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak.
Some of the settlements in this central-eastern region of Ukraine lie just a few dozen kilometers from the Donetsk region’s front line. The area is frequently targeted by missile and drone attacks, particularly its more easterly parts, some of which border active combat zones.
According to the announcement, the evacuation applies to residents of the villages of Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka.
According to local media reports evacuation is carried out using organized transport, with evacuees being given coordinated departure dates and times, at the Mezhova assembly point where mandatory registration takes place.
Residents are advised to prepare essential items for evacuation, including documents, cash, bank cards, medications, several days’ supply of food and water, a mobile phone with charger, warm clothing, spare footwear, and other basic necessities.
On Feb. 11, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, passed the draft law No. 12353 in its first reading. This introduced mandatory evacuation of children from areas where hostilities are ongoing or could potentially occur and amends previous legislation on population evacuation during martial law.
According to the bill:
- The General Staff will identify areas of potential hostilities even during peacetime;
- Regional Military Administrations (RMAs) will make decisions on mandatory evacuations from active combat zones;
- RMAs will have the authority to enforce the evacuation of children based on military command recommendations;
- Parents will be legally obligated to ensure their children’s safety during martial law;
- Police and child protection services will be authorized to carry out the evacuation of minors from dangerous areas.