Ukrainian officials have confirmed that nearly 1,100,000 civilians require evacuation from frontline areas as Russian assaults intensify. Among them, about 84,000 are children, and about 16,000 are individuals with limited mobility. Authorities emphasize that vulnerable groups remain the highest priority in ongoing relocation efforts, highlighting the immense logistical challenge.
The eastern regions of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk are currently the most critical zones for evacuation. Heavy artillery strikes and ground assaults have devastated residential communities and made daily life increasingly perilous. Authorities have been forced to accelerate evacuations, while residents leave behind belongings, homes, and livelihoods.
Officials revealed that more than 600,000 civilians have already been moved out of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk. However, based on 22 August 2025 figures, only 64,000 people were evacuated in the most recent phase, while nearly 237,000 more still await relocation. The gap underscores the enormous undertaking that remains unfinished.
Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksii Riabykin presented the figures and stressed the urgent need for enhanced coordination. He said the delays in evacuation could expose more lives to danger due to the escalating tempo of Russian military actions in eastern Ukraine. The evacuation numbers will likely continue increasing.
To address the crisis, a nationwide network of transit hubs has been established, with Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk functioning as a major reception point. Authorities have opened at least sixteen such facilities, including new centers in Lozova and Voloske, ensuring wider distribution and more efficient processing of evacuees across multiple regions.
At Pavlohrad alone, officials report daily arrivals of 350 to 400 people. Most received humanitarian assistance, temporary cash support, and registration documents before moving onward. The policy now emphasizes rapid transfer from transit hubs to temporary accommodations, ensuring that displaced families are not left stranded indefinitely.
Beyond Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk, evacuations are also ongoing in other vulnerable areas. Officials highlighted operations in the Korabel microdistrict of Kherson as well as regions in Sumy. These initiatives reflect the broader scale of displacement caused by Russian attacks, which have spread instability across several regions simultaneously.
Rising urgency stems directly from intensifying Russian strikes on civilian areas. Recent bombardments, including attacks in Dobropillia, demonstrate the increasing risks faced by those who remain. Authorities warn that further delays in evacuation could significantly raise casualties, adding a pressing humanitarian dimension to the already severe security situation.
To manage such large-scale movements, the Ukrainian government is preparing a new regulatory framework. This act will clearly assign responsibilities to various ministries and regional bodies. Officials believe streamlined coordination will reduce bottlenecks, improve speed, and provide a more structured path from frontline danger to safe accommodation.