Markets and Street Trade Banned in Nikopol District Due to Attack Threats

In the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, a significant decision was made on April 5-6 to prohibit the operation of markets, fairs, and street trading. This decision came as a result of a meeting chaired by Ivan Bazilyuk, the head of the Nikopol District Military Administration, which took place on Sunday, April 5.

The authorities urged citizens to minimize their presence in open areas and to heed warnings regarding air alerts. This decision was made against the backdrop of an increasing number of Russian attacks on civilian populations, critical infrastructure, and trade facilities, as documented in a statement released by local government officials.

Ivan Bazilyuk also highlighted that Russian occupiers are actively disseminating leaflets containing threats and disinformation. According to the head of the RMA, these leaflets aim to intimidate the population by threatening the 'destruction of civilian equipment,' calling for residents to await the 'arrival of liberators,' and spreading false information about an 'offensive.' Bazilyuk believes this is an attempt to mislead the public and incite panic.

The head of the Nikopol RMA emphasized that the occupiers are trying to provoke panic among the people and undermine trust in the actual situation. He called on citizens to ignore such leaflets and not to share their contents, as well as to report any discovered 'warnings' from the Russians to law enforcement agencies.

It is important to note that on April 4, Russian forces launched an attack on a market in Nikopol using FPV drones, resulting in injuries to 28 individuals, including a child. Tragically, five people lost their lives—three women and two men.

Furthermore, earlier on April 4, it was reported that three people were injured as a result of an attack by Russian occupiers in the Nikopol region, including an infant and a six-year-old boy. On April 1, Russian forces also carried out artillery and drone strikes on Nikopol, injuring 10 individuals.

These events underscore the ongoing aggression from Russia, which not only targets civilian objects but also seeks to destabilize the situation in the region through disinformation and psychological pressure on the population.