According to the head of the Ministry of Reintegration, Irina Vereshchuk, there are currently about 5,000 civilians in Bakhmut, including several dozen children.
Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk believes that minors must be forcibly evacuated from Bakhmut, even if their parents or guardians want to stay in the city and do not give permission to take the children out. The head of the Ministry of Reintegration stated this on the air of the All-Ukrainian telethon.
Vereshchuk noted that the evacuation of children from the war zone is a complex issue. For civilians in the Donetsk region, there has been a mandatory evacuation since August last year. However, if adults themselves can make a decision on this issue and be responsible for their decision, then there is a discussion about children.
“I believe that there should be coercion … In the case when mortal danger hangs over children,” said Irina Vereshchuk.
Irina Vereshchuk about the forced evacuation of children
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According to the head of the Ministry of Reintegration, state bodies, in particular the National Police and the guardianship and guardianship authorities of the Donetsk OVA, should have the necessary tools so that children are not in the settlements where hostilities are taking place.
The Ministry of Reintegration has already made a corresponding decision, but the Ministry of Social Policy does not share this position. In addition, international organizations are of the opinion that the removal of children should be with the consent of the parents or guardians.
“I must discuss this publicly, because people ask how children can be under heavy fire, in mortal danger. And the police have to persuade parents or guardians to leave for months,” the minister said.
Irina Vereshchuk also added that the servicemen are also in favor of civilians, in particular children, leaving the cities for which there are battles.
Recall that on February 28, the commander of the aerial reconnaissance group with the call sign “Madyar” said that the situation in Bakhmut is very difficult in all directions. According to him, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation want to encircle the city and for this they carry out non-stop assault operations.
Advisor to the President of Ukraine Oleksandr Rodnyansky said in an interview on March 1 that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could make a strategic retreat from Bakhmut, Donetsk region, if necessary.
On the same day, the speaker of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhiy Cherevaty said that at the moment there was no decision on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Bakhmut. He also added that the city was being stormed by the most trained units of the Wagner PMC.
