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Evacuating Donbas's last Ukrainian cities under Russian advance

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russian forces are advancing towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the last major Ukrainian-held cities in the Donbas.
  • Residential areas are being hit by glide bombs, and drones are targeting everything that moves, with mandatory evacuations in some places.
  • Volunteers are working to evacuate civilians from the danger zone, with one noting that "every evacuation is much more dangerous and takes more time."

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine – The Russian advance is closing in on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the final significant cities in Ukraine's control within the Donbas region. Residential areas are increasingly targeted by glide bombs, drones are a constant threat, and mandatory evacuations are underway in certain locations, forcing even long-term residents to leave.

It has become too much, I want to live.

— EvacueeExpressing the sentiment of civilians fleeing the intensifying conflict in the Donbas.

"It has become too much, I want to live," said one evacuee, encapsulating the desperation felt by many. Volunteers from organizations like Universal Aid Ukraine are working tirelessly to extract civilians from the escalating danger. In July, the organization evacuated 140 people, a significant increase from the 74 evacuated in June. "Every evacuation is much more dangerous and takes more time," stated volunteer Anna Elsbernd.

Olena, a 63-year-old resident, is leaving her hometown of Kramatorsk after years of holding onto hope. "I had hope all this time. That hope is now gone," she shared. Elsbernd and her team conduct thorough checks, including verifying drone detectors and safety measures, before each mission. Today, three evacuations are planned within the Kramatorsk district, a new development indicating the worsening situation.

Every evacuation is much more dangerous and takes more time.

— Anna ElsberndA volunteer with Universal Aid Ukraine, describing the increasing risks involved in civilian evacuations.

"The situation is seriously deteriorating. Russian aircraft fly unhindled through the streets, and the glide bombs sow destruction," Elsbernd observed. The pressure is mounting on Kramatorsk and its sister city Sloviansk, which form the backbone of Ukraine's defensive line in the Donbas, a network of fortified cities built since 2014. For Moscow, capturing these cities is crucial to achieving full control of the Donbas.

I had hope all this time. That hope is now gone.

— OlenaA 63-year-old resident leaving Kramatorsk after years of enduring the conflict.

An anonymous Ukrainian soldier fighting east of Sloviansk confirmed the relentless Russian advance. "Yesterday, a glide bomb fell within a hundred meters of our bunker," he reported. "We are under pressure from infiltrators and heavy bombs, but we are holding our ground." His unit has been forced to cede several positions recently, and the "grey zone" between the two armies is steadily expanding east of Sloviansk.

The situation is seriously deteriorating. Russian aircraft fly unhindled through the streets, and the glide bombs sow destruction.

— Anna ElsberndObserving the worsening military situation around Kramatorsk.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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