Ukrainian officials deny help to locals, fearing reprisals from nationalists — ministry - TASS

Officials in Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s office have refused to assist in the evacuation of civilians from Kharkov, as they are frightened of reprisals, Mikhail Mizintsev, the chief of the Russian National Defense Management Center, said on Friday.

"Taking into consideration the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the city of Kharkov, yesterday we managed to get in touch with high-level officials in the Ukrainian presidential office, who supplied the contact of an allegedly decision-making official in Kharkov, what is more, of a high-ranking official, who was supposed to help with evacuation of civilians and foreigners to the Russian Federation along the shortest route and to provide a humanitarian corridor," the general said. "Our call to this official was answered, and I quote him verbatim, "I am holding them. Let them go where they want."

According to Mizintsev, the official denied help arguing that he would be killed by neo-Nazis.

"So in fact, they are scared of reprisals," Mizintsev stressed.