Ukrainian authorities have begun mass evacuations from 27 settlements near the city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, citing a worsening security situation. A total of 409 families, including 601 children, have been ordered to leave as Russian forces continue attacks on the city, which is a key target in their push west through central and eastern Ukraine in the more than three-and-a-half-year-old war. Kupiansk was initially captured by Russian troops in the early weeks of the February 2022 invasion but was later retaken by Kyiv’s forces. The evacuations highlight risks to civilian operations and critical infrastructure, with further disruptions and security threats expected as fighting continues.