The occupiers have kidnapped more than 500 people in Melitopol - the mayor

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - MONDAY, 30 MAY 2022, 15:05

During the three months of full-scale war with Ukraine, the Russian occupiers have kidnapped more than 500 civilians in Melitopol.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, mayor of occupied Melitopol, at an online briefing at Media Centre Ukraine - Ukrinform on 30 May

Quote: "The most difficult issue today is the security issue, because people in Melitopol are kidnapped on a daily basis.

During the whole period of occupation, in three months, more than 500 people were kidnapped. Some are kept for three days, some for more than a month. We have an example where a 16-year-old child has been held captive for 50 days."

Details: According to Fedorov, humanitarian problems are also significant challenges for Melitopol. For example, residents of the temporarily occupied territories are running out of cash, and products imported by the occupiers from the Crimea are three or four times more expensive than in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian authorities.