The Ukrainian Defence Forces have liberated Kupiansk-Vuzlovyy, one of the largest railway junctions in Kharkiv Region, Oleh Synehubov, the head of the regional military administration, has said on the telethon.
It was a strategic point for the russians - they supplied weapons through this settlement, located near Luhansk Region.
"They had several crucially important directions - the so-called Izyum Height which was the way through which they sent equipment to the territory of Luhansk and Donetsk Regions, strengthened their military presence there. And, of course, Kupiansk-Vuzlovyy - one of the largest logistics hubs in the Kharkiv Region, and from the first hours of the full-scale war it was occupied, the enemy defended it quite strongly. Indeed, our armed forces have recaptured it," he noted.
Every metre of Ukrainian land is being liberated by hard efforts, as the enemy is gathering reserves. As of now, less than 6% of Kharkiv Region remains temporarily occupied.
The Head of the Regional Military Administration stressed that it is not safe to return to the liberated settlements now - it is necessary to carry out demining first. It is also necessary to restore the infrastructure destroyed by the russians. There are cases when civilians got blown up right in their yards.
Synehubov added that during the occupation russians deported the population, in particular children, from Kharkiv Region. For example, 80% of the village of Liptsi was moved forcibly. The situation in Vovchansk is similar.
"It was certain blackmailing of our people, when they took them away under the pretext of "rehabilitation", under the pretext of creating safe living conditions for children. And then they forced people to cooperate with them. Thus, they took these children hostage, forced them to cooperate and to sign certain documents," he said.
Synehubov added that law enforcement officers will study who cooperated with the enemy of their own free will and who was forced to do so, in particular, because of kidnapped relatives.
The authorities are working to identify all abducted Ukrainians. The Ministry of Reintegration already has successful cases of finding deportees, including minors.
