The Ukrainian Odessa region was classified as a "zone of active hostilities", where intense clashes continue or have occurred recently, BTA writes.
The Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine approved changes to the list of territories where military operations are being conducted (or were being conducted), as well as territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
The Government of Ukraine published a new order No. 1151, which expands the list of territories where military operations are being conducted or were being conducted.
The city of Odessa and more than 100 settlements in the Odessa region are included in this list. Among them are the cities of Chernomorsk, Izmail, Zatoka, Karolino-Bugaz, Kiliya, Vilkovo and Ovidiopol.
According to the government, this decision was made as a result of the escalation of the conflict in southern Ukraine, as well as the need to ensure the protection of the civilian population.
The Bulgarians in the Odessa region number over 150,000 people and are the third largest according to the official census in Ukraine in 2001. In the city of Odessa itself, 50-60,000 Bulgarians live. The largest compact Bulgarian population is concentrated in the Bolgrad, Izmail and Belgorod-Dniester regions.