BELGOROD. May 15 (Interfax) - Around 3,500 children evacuated from Russia's Belgorod region because of the difficult situation have returned home, the region's governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 television channel (VGTRK).
The total number of evacuated children exceeds 13,500, he said.
"Some 3,500 are back to date. We were worried and asked parents not to take them back. As I understand, most parents regret they did not listen to us. Slightly over 10,500 children are staying in 40 regions," Gladkov said.
"We are making plans, expecting substantial federal assistance, and requesting the admission of 20,000 children to summer camps. Crimea, Stavropol Territory, the Moscow region, Tula, as always, the Kaluga region, and the Yaroslavl region have responded. That is, we have many good friends, governors, who call us practically every day and offer assistance," he said.
As reported, it has been decided to extend the stay of Belgorod children in other parts of Russia due to the current situation.
Belgorod and the Belgorod region have come under heavy fire from Ukraine since March 12. Casualties have been reported. People from the worst hit territories are evacuated to shelters. Children are taken to other parts of Russia for security reasons.
Schools in Belgorod, municipal districts along the border and, partially, the Yakovlevo urban district are working online in the fourth quarter of the school year.