Ukraine has ordered the forced evacuation of more than 3,000 children together with their parents from frontline settlements in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts due to a worsening security situation, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksii Kuleba announced on 2 January.
The evacuations reflect mounting pressure on Ukraine's southern front, where Russian forces have made steady territorial gains in recent weeks. Both oblasts have seen intensified shelling and drone attacks on civilian areas, with front lines shifting closer to populated settlements.
The decision was taken by a government coordination body responsible for evacuation efforts.
Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions face mounting pressure
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, authorities plan to evacuate 651 children from four settlements in two municipalities. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 2,463 children are being evacuated from 40 settlements across five municipalities.
The evacuations come as Russian forces have made significant gains in both regions. In late December, Russian troops captured Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast after outgunned territorial defense units retreated, opening a path toward the regional capital 80 kilometers away. Russian forces have been pounding positions with up to 400 artillery strikes daily and 15-20 guided aerial bomb attacks on civilian areas.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian forces have pushed into southeastern areas adjacent to Donetsk Oblast, prompting Ukrainian counterattacks as Moscow attempts to secure ground that could be used as leverage in potential ceasefire negotiations.
Chernihiv evacuation ongoing
Officials also discussed the situation in Chernihiv Oblast. Mandatory evacuation was announced there on 30 December in 14 settlements. Evacuation has already been completed in three of them, while it is still ongoing in 11 others.
Chernihiv Oblast, which borders both Russia and Belarus, has faced intensifying attacks in recent months. The region has been subjected to repeated drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the full-scale war.
Kuleba stressed the need for regions receiving evacuees to coordinate closely and ensure proper living conditions for families.
150,000 evacuated since June
According to the minister, a total of 150,000 people have been evacuated from frontline areas to safer regions since June 1. This includes nearly 18,000 children and more than 5,000 people with limited mobility.
To support the process, 17 transit centers are operating across Ukraine. Evacuees receive humanitarian, medical, psychological, legal, and social assistance, as well as help with documents, social benefits, and financial support.
More than 80,000 places have been prepared in temporary accommodation facilities for internally displaced people, Kuleba said. A 24-hour hotline is also operating to provide information on evacuation, housing, and assistance.
