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The Russian forces continue to advance slowly in eastern Ukraine and claimed the taking of new villages in the Donetsk region. The troops have marked a progression in recent days toward Kostiantynivka, a strategic point on the route to Kramatorsk – considered the “capital” of Donbass still under Kiev’s control. More and more residents are choosing to escape, some going to a displaced registration center in Lozova, Kharkiv region.
In a DNIPRO region of displaced registration, Irina makes a point of showing on her cell phone the video of what was left of her home, hit by two bombings with two days of break. “There is no roof, no stove, no refrigerator, nothing left,” he says. “When bombings intensify, fires begin. But there are no more firefighters, no ambulance,” he says.
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Irina and her family hesitated long before fleeing. “It’s the best decision,” he admits. “You have to get out of here to ensure security, because no walls, no house will save us,” he says.
Pavel, 33, was preparing to spend the night in the center of displaced people before heading to the west of the country. He also didn’t want to leave his city, where he still worked. But the attacks, which became incessant, eventually convinced him to call an evacuation team.
“It’s terrifying to be there, with these Shahed and FPV drones [que disparam contra a população]. It’s hard, it’s scary to think that in a beautiful morning your life can end, ”he says.
Faced with increasing military pressure, local authorities decreed, as early as August 2024, the mandatory evacuation of Kostynivka women and children. But, according to the Donetsk Military Administration, cited by various Ukrainian media, about 6,000 inhabitants still live in the city.
Association help in the withdrawal of residents
In the same region, before the yellow and white minibus of the East-os Association, in the parking lot of a small town, Evhen Pojanski and his son Vlad study the Ukraine map. They carry residents who wish to abandon their homes and today have decided to follow a new route, a little further from the front line.
“We want to try to find a new itinerary we can use in the coming days. Because we understand and feel that the current route will soon be attacked by drones,” the drivers say. “The Russians are advancing toward this road and we have the impression that they have reorganized in recent weeks,” they explain.
Vlad paves the way, Evhen follows the wheel of the minibus. The train advances rapidly through the bumpy roads, amid dry sunflowers. After about twenty minutes, they arrive at a little busy village. The family to be evacuated is already waiting in front of the gate.
“We live our whole life here, but we need to leave”
The 3 -year -old little Vlada cries and clings to her mother. With tears in his eyes, Tetian, a neighbor, came to say goodbye. “It no longer makes sense to stay. We live our whole life here, but we need to leave. Shahed drones fly over here every day. My friend, my classmate, was killed. My husband has just returned from the front line and said to me: No further discuss, let’s leave immediately.”
In a few minutes, Mykola, his wife, four children and about twenty bags full of clothes, blankets and food enter the minibus driven by Evhen. The vehicle comes quickly towards a further area of the front line. For even if, on the morning of the report, the sounds of the fighting were distant, residents know that the situation can change at any time.
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