Kyiv Not Evacuating Locals From Russian Territories It Controls, Says Ukrainian Lawmaker

Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko (file photo)

Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko told RFE/RL on August 20 that no evacuation of local residents from parts of Russia's Kursk region that is controlled by Kyiv's armed forces to Ukraine is under way at the moment. Kostenko added that the Ukraine-installed commandant's office is ensuring the protection of local residents in Russian territories under Kyiv's control, in accordance with the Geneva conventions. Kostenko added that, if some Russian citizens from the Kursk region have appeared on the Ukrainian side of the border, that must have been done through their own initiative and efforts. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, click here.