Kiev, 9 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Ukraine has opened a border crossing with Russia that was closed since the war began so that Ukrainian refugees displaced to Russia can return home.

Direct routes to the areas controlled by Ukrainian troops are often blocked by the front lines, and many Ukrainians are forced to seek shelter in Russia.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said, "It is possible and necessary to leave via the Kolotilovka-Pokrovka humanitarian corridor!" The crossing point between the Ukrainian Sumy region and the Russian Belgorod region has been open since Saturday, she said.

To return from Russia to Ukrainian-controlled regions, refugees have had to take detours via European Union states or Georgia.

Kiev has repeatedly called on Ukrainians living in Russian-occupied areas of the country to flee into Ukrainian territory because of the ongoing attempts to recapture them.

More than 17 months ago, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine and occupied large parts of Ukrainian territory.

Photo: MIA Archive