Russian authorities use residents of Belgorod and Kursk oblasts as human shield

Andrii Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU), has stated that Russian authorities refuse to allow residents of Belgorod and Kursk oblasts to be evacuated and instead use them as human shields.

Source: Andrii Yusov on the air during the national 24/7 newscast 

Quote: "The authorities (of the Russian Federation - ed.) are once again trying to use civilians, their own fellow citizens, as a human shield in order to protect the Russian terrorist regime."

Details: Yusov stated that a number of interceptions between Russian security forces and the local population show that transportation hubs are cordoned off and there are checkpoints.

The authorities also threaten people with penalties and dismissal from their jobs.

Today, soldiers of the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Sibir (Siberian) Battalion declared a "limited military operation" and urged border residents to evacuate.

In connection with this, Russian volunteers opened a humanitarian corridor for civilians and Russian servicemen from 21:00 today until 7:00 on 15 March.

Background: 

• On 13 March, Russian volunteer soldiers fighting on the Ukrainian side announced strikes on Russian military positions in Belgorod and Kursk and called on local residents to evacuate.
• On 14 March, at 10:30, Denis Nikitin, the head and founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, announced that Russian volunteers would open fire on Russian military targets in Belgorod and Kursk within an hour and a half.
• The Russian Volunteer Corps then issued a call to all residents of Kursk and Bryansk oblasts who did not have time or were unable to evacuate to seek shelter immediately.

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