60,000 and counting Russia scrambles to accommodate thousands as Donbas evacuations continue

On Friday, February 18, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” announced that increased tensions in eastern Ukraine necessitated mass evacuations. Over the next three days, more than 60,000 people were relocated to Russia, according to official reports. In total, 43 Russian regions have agreed to take in evacuees. President Vladimir Putin has also ordered the Russian government to pay 10,000 rubles ($130) to each “refugee.” Be that as it may, confusion reigned at Russia’s reception centers over the weekend, as local authorities scrambled to accommodate the sudden influx of people. Several Russian regions have even declared a state of emergency. So far, evacuees are being put up in schools, hotels, summer camp facilities, and even makeshift tent camps. Meduza shares snapshots from the evacuation.