https://tass.com/politics/1416923

Russian ministry says Ukrainian officials don’t help with evacuation fearing nationalists

It was reported that the official refused to help with vehicles and security to take people to meeting points, where the Russian side prepared convoys of buses, hot meals and medical supplies

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Center for Defense Management, on Friday said Ukrainian officials refuse to help with evacuating civilians from Kharkov out of fear they will be punished.

"Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the city of Kharkov, yesterday we were able to get in touch with officials in the Ukrainian presidential office, who provided the contacts for an official that’s allegedly in charge of this in Kharkov," Mizintsev said. "Moreover, it was an official of a high level and rank, who was supposed to assist with evacuations of civilians and foreigners to the territory of the Russian Federation by the shortest route, as well as provide a humanitarian corridor."

"When we called that person, we got this answer, and I’m quoting, ‘I’m not holding them. They are free to go where ever they want,’" Mizintsev said.

He said the official refused to help explaining he would be killed by Nazis. "So, they are afraid of punishment," Mizintsev said.

The general said the official refused to help with vehicles and security to take people to meeting points, where the Russian side prepared convoys of buses, hot meals and medical supplies. According to Mizintsev, the official said, "I’m not suicidal. As soon as I start gathering them up and sending them toward Russia, I will be the first to be destroyed by the territorial defense battalions, or rather, by the national battalions, that is, the Nazis." Mizintsev said that for security reasons he left out the names of the officials.

"I think that comments on this conversation are unnecessary," he said. "The current situation is typical for the entire territory of Ukraine."