Russian occupiers in Vovchansk are taking local residents captive and then detaining them in basements to use as human shields.
This was reported by the Head of the Investigation Department of the National Police in Kharkiv Region, Serhiy Bolvinov, during a national TV marathon.
He noted that the enemy is detaining captured Ukrainians in the basement to use them as human shields. According to preliminary data, there are about 35-40 people. Although he notes that the number may increase.
The Head of the Investigation Department of the National Police in Kharkiv Region also points out that the occupiers have set up their command headquarters nearby. Civilians are constantly interrogated, and those who conduct these interrogations call themselves ‘FSB officers’.
"Most of the captives are elderly people who were in the city until the last moment. They probably did not want to evacuate and leave their homes. But because of the heavy shelling, they decided to evacuate. And these are the people who are now being captured by the Russians," he said.
Bolvinov also recalls a situation when the Russians "cynically shot a man who was trying to escape and get to the territory controlled by Ukraine". The man, along with others, wanted to evacuate from Vovchansk, but the Russian occupiers shot him because he did not follow their orders.
He also added that the investigation into the incident has been launched. The police continue to work in Vovchansk, in particular, they continue to help with the evacuation of the residents.
Earlier, we reported that Russians abduct and kill local residents in Vovchansk.