Ukraine is urging civilians to flee a looming Russian offensive in eastern regions

Ukraine has urged civilians to evacuate the eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of the Kharkiv regions as it prepares for a new major Russian offensive following Moscow’s withdrawal from the north of the country.

“You must evacuate now while this possibility still exists,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Occupied Territories. Iryna Vereshchuk, said Wednesday on Ukrainian television. “Later, people are shot at and threatened with death. We won’t be able to help because it will be virtually impossible to stop firing.”