Civilians in Ukraine are allegedly being kidnapped and killed by Russia forces, a politician has warned.
Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine said "active hostilities" are taking place in a northern part of Vovchansk, in Kharkiv Oblast.
The area is being evacuated by police despite threats from Russia - however, the minister added that the Russian military is preventing the exodus.
Klymenko said Ukrainian civilians have been "kidnapped and herded into basements" before being killed.
Civilians in Ukraine are allegedly being kidnapped and killed by Russia forces, a politician has warned
Reuters
The Ukrainian chief said criminal proceedings have been launched over the "violation of the rules and customers of war."
In a translated message, Klymenko wrote on Telegram: "In the northern part of Vovchansk, where active hostilities are taking place, the Russian military is taking civilians captive.
"Evacuation continued in that area until today - the National Police of Ukraine did not stop evacuating people despite all threats and under fire.
"As of now, according to operational information, the Russian military, which was trying to gain a foothold in the city, did not allow local residents to evacuate: people began to be kidnapped and herded into basements. It is known about the first executions of civilians by the Russian military."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
He added that one Vovchansk resident was killed after refusing to obey the Russian forces and attempted to flee.
Klymenko said the National Police of Ukraine are pushing to allow the further evacuation of people.
It comes as the Russian president and China's Xi Jinping pledged a "new era" of partnership during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The duo signed a joint statement about the "new era" that proclaimed opposition to the United States on a host of security issues and a shared view on everything from Taiwan and Ukraine to North Korea and cooperation on new peaceful nuclear technologies and finance.
Russian president and China's Xi Jinping pledged a 'new era' of partnership during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing
Reuters
Xi told Putin: "The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it.
"China is willing to ... jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world."
Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine - triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.
