Kyiv [Ukraine], August 10: Ukraine has opened a border crossing with Russia that was closed since the war began so that Ukrainian refugees displaced to Russia can return home.
Direct routes to the areas controlled by Ukrainian troops are often blocked by the front lines, and many Ukrainians are forced to seek shelter in Russia.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister IrynaVereshchuk said, "It is possible and necessary to leave via the Kolotilovka-Pokrovka humanitarian corridor!"
The crossing point between the Ukrainian Sumy region and the Russian Belgorod region has been open since Saturday, she said.
To return from Russia to Ukrainian-controlled regions, refugees have had to take detours via European Union states or Georgia.
The Ministry for Reintegration noted that there is a volunteer humanitarian centre on the Ukrainian border, where all Ukrainians can receive free psychological, legal and humanitarian assistance, spend the night and get to Sumy or other Ukrainian cities.
People wishing to evacuate from Sumy Oblast can also use the Sumy-Kiev special evacuation train. Kiev has repeatedly called on Ukrainians living in Russian-occupied areas of the country to flee into Ukrainian territory because of the ongoing attempts to recapture them.
The Ministry for Reintegration also noted that Kiev Oblast Military Administration will provide all willing with housing in the modular city located in the Vyshhorod district.
At the same time, the State Border Guard Service clarified for Ukrainska Pravda that all checkpoints on the border with the aggressor state remain closed.
More than 17 months ago, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine and occupied large parts of Ukrainian territory.
Source: Qatar Tribune