
Kursk Evacuees Reunite With Families as Ukrainian Forces Withdraw
- World News
- March 21, 2025
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Kursk Evacuees Reunite With Families as Ukrainian Forces Withdraw
As Russian forces regain control of the Kursk region, hundreds of civilians who had been trapped for months under Ukrainian occupation are finally reuniting with their loved ones. Many evacuees, including elderly residents, endured harsh conditions, isolation, and constant uncertainty before being safely transported to Russian-held areas.
Among them are Alexandra Pashchenko and Ivan Prilutsky, an elderly couple from Sudzha, the largest town to fall under Ukrainian control during Kyiv’s August 2024 incursion. After months of no contact, their daughter Lyubov Prilutskaya managed to convince them to evacuate by sending a heartfelt video featuring their grandchildren.
“They are feeling a bit unwell now, but overall, they are fine,” Prilutskaya told local media, adding that her parents remain deeply concerned about the home they left behind.
Russian authorities have evacuated over 500 civilians from the region, with many being placed in temporary shelters or reunited with relatives, acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein confirmed. Authorities have also begun recovering bodies from formerly occupied areas, as reports emerge of residents who succumbed to harsh conditions.
While Ukrainian forces previously shared footage of humanitarian aid distribution, many Kursk families accused Kyiv of abandoning civilians under occupation. Meanwhile, survivors of Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine have reported widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and abuse, according to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR).
Prilutskaya continues to advocate for the safe return of all missing residents, estimating that up to 1,500 people may still be in Sudzha. Her parents, now seeking state assistance, already wish to return home, though their family is urging them to reconsider.
As Kursk recovers from months of turmoil, many evacuees now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives amid the scars of war.