Russian occupiers have taken away humanitarian aid sent to the residents of Melitopol, negotiations are underway to return the cargo.

As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereschuk said at a briefing on Thursday evening, 12 buses loaded with humanitarian aid arrived in Melitopol to evacuate people. "Unfortunately, the occupiers took away the humanitarian aid. These are 14 tonnes of food and medicines. We are negotiating so that the buses will be returned, and the residents of Melitopol could take them to Zaporizhia tomorrow," she said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that on Thursday, 1,458 people arrived in Zaporizhia along the agreed three humanitarian corridors on their own transport. Of these, 631 people from Mariupol and 827 residents of the cities of Zaporizhia region.

"Today, 45 buses were going to Berdiansk for evacuation. The occupiers did not let them into the city. Some 600 people went to the buses from the city and should leave for Zaporizhia tomorrow morning," the Deputy Prime Minister informed.

She noted that more than 30 buses remain at the entrance to Berdiansk to pick up residents of Mariupol and Berdiansk in Zaporizhia in the morning.

According to Vereschuk, 50 private cars with people and a bus with children left Energodar. They are already in Zaporizhia.

"Tomorrow we will continue to break through the humanitarian corridor to Mariupol and will not leave people alone," the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.