Moscow/IBNS: Russia has issued an order on Friday to evacuate families with children and the elderly from the Russian-held frontline areas in southern Ukraine due to intensified shelling from Ukraine.

18 locations, including Energodar, the site of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, will undergo a temporary evacuation due to increased shelling from the Ukrainian side, reported AFP.

"In the past few days, the enemy has stepped up shelling of settlements close to the front line," the Russian-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, satated on social media.

"I have therefore made a decision to evacuate first of all children and parents, elderly people, disabled people and hospital patients," he further stated. 

The plant, which is held by Russia, is situated close to the front line, and this has raised international concerns.

For several months, Ukraine has been getting ready for an attack against Russian forces, and some experts claim that the recent long-range strikes and acts of sabotage beyond Russian lines indicate that it is now about to happen.