Thousands flee Ukraine for Russia as uncertain truce comes to an end
Russia says at least 90,000 Ukrainians have crossed the border to escape unrest that has killed more than 400 as rebels release four detained OSCE observers and EU leaders meet over sanctions
As a shaky ceasefire in the east entered its final hours on Thursday, thousands of Ukrainians in cars stuffed with belongings lined up at the border to cross into Russia, some vowing never to return.
Many said they were most frightened for their children and desperate to take them to safety.
Also on Thursday, four of eight observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) who were held hostage in eastern Ukraine were released, the organisation said in a news release.
“It is critical for Russia to show in the next hours, literally, that they’re moving to help disarm the separatists.”
A commander at the rebel controlled border post outside the city of Luhansk said 5,000 people had left by evening, joining a stream that he said has continued unabated during the weeklong truce that has failed to end the gunfire and shelling.
Russia says tens of thousands of Ukrainians have come in the ten weeks since Ukraine’s government began fighting separatists in the east, a heavily industrial region with a large population of ethnic Russians, many of whom feel strong ties to Moscow.
Air strikes and artillery attacks by the Ukrainian military have infuriated many residents, and many crossing the border on Thursday said they were fleeing the fighting, which has killed more than 400 people since mid-April according to a United Nations’ estimate.
Those who talked to journalists, however, said nothing to indicate that they supported the armed separatists, who have seized government buildings, declared independence and asked Russia to annex the region.