Children ordered to evacuate from Kherson after Russian shelling

Authorities in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson have ordered a forced evacuation of families with children, due to sustained Russian shelling of residential areas.

The evacuation order applies to a score of communities and the town of Beryslav on the Dnipro River, the regional administration said on Telegram late on Monday.

So far, only 450 children and their relatives have responded to an official order issued in mid-September. Due to refusals, coercive measures are now necessary, authorities said.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Reintegration, just over 800 children are being taken to safer areas in the west of the country by bus and train.

Russia strike on Ukraine village postal depot kills 6 workers, injures 17

The order became necessary because of almost daily artillery fire and the intensive use of glide bombs by the Russian air force against targets on the Ukrainian-controlled bank of the Dnipro. Civilians have been frequently killed and injured.