Ukrainian authorities on Saturday ordered the mandatory evacuation of 11 villages in the northeastern Sumy region, near the Russian border, citing intensified shelling and the growing threat of a possible Russian ground offensive.

The Sumy Regional Administration stated the decision was made “in light of the ongoing threat to civilian lives due to the shelling of border settlements.” The evacuation comes amid heightened military activity in the area and reports that Russian forces have recently captured several villages nearby.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of amassing troops along the border, warning that Russia may be preparing for a new assault on the region, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The evacuation reflects broader concerns about an escalation in northeastern Ukraine, where border communities have endured repeated attacks. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over deteriorating conditions for civilians in the affected zones.