Luhansk governor Serhii Haidai has addressed the population of the region urging them to evacuate to safer areas of Ukraine.

He said that Russian troops are accumulating troops and military equipment near Rubizhne and other towns, adding the tension is growing daily, so locals should leave the region while there is still an opportunity for this.

The governor stated that in case of Russian occupation, civilian population may face killings and forcible relocation to Russia.

Haidai also said that despite the fact there are no confirmed humanitarian corridors today, people can use evacuation buses from Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna, Hirske, Nyzhne and Rubizhne.