Korosten preparing for possible invasion from Belarus - mayor

Korosten Mayor Volodymyr Moskalenko said this in a video message, Ukrinform reports.

"Today there is a question about the defense of our city, so we are fortifying our positions. There are checkpoints, trenches, but residents of the city should not panic about it. The problem regarding an attack by Belarusian troops or from [Belarusian] territory is still relevant. We must strengthen the defense of our city," Moskalenko said.

According to him, everyone who wanted to leave the city has already left. Next week, more than 100 women with children will be evacuated to the French city of Bourges, a sister city of Korosten.

Russian forces have already launched several air strikes on Korosten. The city is located in the north of the Zhytomyr region where enemy shelling does not stop.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying infrastructure, residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.