Cross-Border Raid: Civilians and Soldiers Captured in Ukraine’s Hrabovske

In a shocking development, authorities in Kyiv have reported that 52 residents from the village of Hrabovske were forcibly taken to Russia during a recent cross-border raid. This incident occurred alongside the capture of 13 Ukrainian soldiers in the northeastern Sumy region, highlighting the increasingly tense situation in the area.

A Nighttime Assault

The attack unfolded late Saturday night, as approximately 100 Russian troops descended upon Hrabovske. According to Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military Joint Forces Task Force, the civilians were gathered in a church and subsequently taken across the border. This move, he noted, is unusual as invading forces typically do not transport civilians to Russia before securing a presence in the territory they occupy.

Civilians’ Uncertain Fate

So far, there has been no official comment from Russian authorities regarding the civilians taken from Hrabovske. However, reports suggest that they may have been transported to Belgorod, a significant city located about 50 miles inside Russia. Volodymyr Bitsak, a member of the Sumy regional council, expressed concern for those captured, stating, “My friends’ mother has been taken there. There is no way of contacting her even though they tried.”

Ongoing Conflict

As the situation escalates, Lt-Col Trehubov mentioned that conflict continued in the southern part of Hrabovske, while a Ukrainian monitoring site later informed that the village had succumbed to Russian control. The defense ministry in Moscow confirmed that Ukrainian forces had suffered blows in Hrabovske and various other locations in the Sumy region.

Challenges in Evacuating Civilians

In the eastern region of Donetsk, the Ukrainian military announced its withdrawal from the contested town of Siversk in a bid to safeguard their soldiers. Russia’s increasing hold on the region brings its forces closer to major cities such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, located about 21 miles to the west.

Ukrainian officials are making efforts to evacuate civilians from the border areas in the Sumy region, but Viktor Babych, a deputy head of the regional administration, indicated that 56% of the residents in these areas are refusing to leave. This leaves approximately 32,000 civilians, including 604 children, still at risk.

The Nature of the Attack

The majority of the 52 civilians taken during the raid were elderly individuals who opted against official evacuation orders. Lt-Col Trehubov described the incident as a “smash and grab,” emphasizing that this type of raid is unprecedented.

Children Among the Captives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his surprise that children were taken as well, questioning the decisions of their parents in such critical times. He stated, “I think they simply did not expect to be taken [to Russia] by Russian military.”

International Implications

Prior to this event, most civilians had been evacuated from Hrabovske, a village that once boasted a population of around 700 before the conflict. Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, condemned the actions taken during the raid, stating, “Such actions are a serious violation of international humanitarian law.” He noted that the unlawful detention and forced deportation of civilians breach the laws and customs of war.

Conclusion

The alarming raid on Hrabovske underscores the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict. The situation remains fluid, and the welfare of the captured civilians continues to raise significant concerns.

• 52 civilians and 13 Ukrainian soldiers were taken to Russia during a raid in Hrabovske.
• The incident involved a nighttime attack by approximately 100 Russian troops.
• Ukrainian officials reported that many captured civilians were elderly individuals.
• The actions during the raid have been condemned as violations of international humanitarian law.