The Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine has long been in Moscow's sights. Vladimir Putin reportedly says he'll freeze the war in return for full control of it. Russia already controls 70% of Donetsk and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk - making slow but steady advances.
I'm heading to the front-line Donetsk town of Dobropillia with two humanitarian volunteers, just 8km from Russia's positions. They're on a mission to bring the sick, elderly and children to safer ground.
Initially, we speed into town in an armoured car with rooftop drone-jamming equipment, hitting 130km/h. Green netting above the roads hides it from Russian drones.
The streets are mostly empty. The few remaining residents leave their homes to collect supplies, as Russian attacks come daily. The town is nearly abandoned, lacking water, and buildings lie in ruins.
In a week, Laarz, a German, and Varia, a Ukrainian from Universal Aid Ukraine, have made dozens of evacuation trips.
The previous week small groups of Russian troops breached town defenses, creating fears for the front line—a critical part of Ukraine's defense.
Extra troops were rushed to stabilize the situation, but most view it as time to escape. Evacuees express their fears and their desire for peace, while ongoing drone threats create a constant sense of danger. In this resource-rich region, control is critical to both military operators and displaced civilians, with lives hanging in the balance.
I'm heading to the front-line Donetsk town of Dobropillia with two humanitarian volunteers, just 8km from Russia's positions. They're on a mission to bring the sick, elderly and children to safer ground.
Initially, we speed into town in an armoured car with rooftop drone-jamming equipment, hitting 130km/h. Green netting above the roads hides it from Russian drones.
The streets are mostly empty. The few remaining residents leave their homes to collect supplies, as Russian attacks come daily. The town is nearly abandoned, lacking water, and buildings lie in ruins.
In a week, Laarz, a German, and Varia, a Ukrainian from Universal Aid Ukraine, have made dozens of evacuation trips.
The previous week small groups of Russian troops breached town defenses, creating fears for the front line—a critical part of Ukraine's defense.
Extra troops were rushed to stabilize the situation, but most view it as time to escape. Evacuees express their fears and their desire for peace, while ongoing drone threats create a constant sense of danger. In this resource-rich region, control is critical to both military operators and displaced civilians, with lives hanging in the balance.
