![Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during joint press conference with President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not seen) after their meeting at Presidential Residence in Sochi, Russia on 22 October 2019 [Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/20191022_2_38908861_48741703.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
President Vladimir Putin yesterday ordered the voluntary evacuation of Russian citizens from the occupied Gaza Strip.
According to RT, Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to envisage a “possible” evacuation of any citizens or personnel trapped by the Israeli military offensive against Gaza.
“In view of a sharp deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip as a result of a military operation of the Israeli armed forces, envisage the evacuation of citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States’ (CIS) member states, staying in Gaza, expressing this wish,” said the presidential decree.
It is not known what effect the ceasefire which came into effect at 2am on Friday will have on this move.