Dozens in Ukrainian town forced to evacuate amid Russian assault

Residents of a Ukrainian border town, frustrated and angry at an armoured ground attack by Russian troops trying to secure a new foothold, were evacuated from their homes on May 10 with an uncertain future ahead.

Officials brought together dozens of inhabitants of Vovchansk and the surrounding villages during breaks in the fighting and took them to an undisclosed site, where they awaited buses to take them to safe locations.

"We are leaving because we are dying from the 'Russian world"," said Mr Valerii Dubskyi, 60, referring to a Russian concept of extending Moscow's influence beyond its borders.

"It can go to hell, together with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and their authorities. They are our enemies. They tested all types of weapons on us, except for the nuclear bomb."