A large and complex evacuation operation is ongoing in Sumy region due to active military aggression by Russian occupying forces
According to Olga Hryhorova, the head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, more than 52,000 residents from 202 settlements have already been evacuated from the region. This constitutes a significant portion of the population forced to leave their homes due to threats to life and destruction. Data from the administration indicates that, over the past week, nearly 2,400 people have been evacuated from the region. Overall, there are over 86,000 residents on the evacuation list for whom evacuation is currently mandatory or recommended. As of today, more than 60% of this number (over 52,000 people) have been safely evacuated from the combat zones and dangerous settlements. On the broadcast of "Public. Studio" TV channel, Hryhorova emphasized that authorities are making maximum efforts to provide evacuees with necessary resources. "We organize transportation, provide shelter, and offer humanitarian aid, financial support, and psychological assistance to everyone who has had to leave their homes due to danger," she stated. Additionally, the region faces extensive infrastructural problems. According to the head of the Regional Military Administration, almost 21,000 consumers in Sumy region are currently without electricity due to damaged power lines and equipment caused by missile strikes and other enemy actions. More than 10,000 residents are also without gas access—emergency situations have arisen due to shelling and damage to gas pipelines. A particularly tragic incident occurred recently near the city of Bilopillya. Russian military used a "Lancet" drone to attack a commuter bus traveling between settlements. Preliminary reports indicate that nine people were killed in this attack, including civilians who had been evacuating amid alerts and dangers of war. The bus, which was used for evacuating the population, was hit during the morning of May 17. This tragedy highlights the complexity and danger of the current situation in the region, as well as the need for increased attention to humanitarian issues. The authorities of Sumy are continuing to work on ensuring the safety of the population, hoping to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible and enable people to return home safely when conditions permit.