The Russian occupants are transferring heavy equipment to the Kherson region through the territory of the seized districts of Zaporizhzhia region. The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, announced this during a telethon, according to UNN.

According to Fedorov, local residents report the movement of Russian military equipment in the area of Melitopol and in the city itself. It is known that over the past 24 hours several dozen enemy vehicles have passed in the direction of Kherson.

"The occupants are moving heavy military equipment from the front line. Yesterday through Melitopol in the direction of Kherson passed three columns, the first from Tokmak, Novofilipovka and through Voznesenka, about 20 units of tanks, the second column - through the central avenue of Melitopol passed tracked equipment (20 ), the third column passed through New Melitopol (more than 30 units of equipment). It is from the side of Kherson AFU are preparing for a counterattack, so the occupants are trying to protect themselves", - said the mayor.

He also said that evacuation from the temporarily occupied territories to the controlled territory of Ukraine is impossible. He said that at the roadblock in Vasilievka more than 5000 people and more than 1200 thousand cars.

"People sleep on the side of the road in cars for more than seven days, the Russians do not let the occupants out. It was also confirmed that 5 people who were in line to get out of the occupation died. In order to go to the store, you have to leave your documents with the Russians-passport, driver's license and other documents. People are kept as "human shields," Fedorov stressed.