In the beleaguered Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, the specter of Russian control looms larger as residents hastily abandon their homes amid relentless attacks. Vladimir Putin is believed to be seeking full dominance over this strategic area, which has already succumbed to 70% Russian control, alongside nearby Luhansk.
I joined two humanitarian volunteers from Universal Aid Ukraine, venturing into Dobropillia, a town perilously close to the front lines, just 8km (five miles) from Russian positions. Our mission was urgent: evacuate the sick, elderly, and children to safer places.
Navigating in an armored vehicle equipped with drone-jamming technology, we rushed through the ghostly streets where residents scurried to gather supplies before returning to their shelters. The lack of water had turned the town into a shell of its former self, with many buildings in ruins due to unrestrained attacks.
For days, twice a day, the evacuation team had worked to extract individuals caught in this dire strait. Fear gripped the locals as Russian troops had breached defenses surrounding the town, prompting the Ukrainian military to bolster their ranks. While a semblance of stability had returned, many residents felt the time had come to leave.
Among those evacuating was Vitalii Kalinichenko, a 56-year-old man clutching a plastic bag of essentials, who spoke of how he was the last of his neighbors. A recent drone attack had shattered his windows and injured him, leaving his home a dangerous wreck. As the evacuation progressed, the eerie sound of drones overhead compelled us to seek refuge under nearby trees.
With another family still trapped, Laarz hurried to find them, demonstrating both the urgency and the ever-present risk of detection by Russian drones. Explosions rang out in the air, a stark reminder of the perilous environment.
Anton, a 31-year-old evacuee, left behind his mother, hoping she, too, would escape soon. While Anton advocated for peaceful negotiations to resolve the conflict, fellow volunteer Varia expressed skepticism, believing concessions would only encourage further aggression from Russia.
As Russian advances sparked fears for the area’s future, President Zelensky dismissed suggestions that Donbas could fall this year, asserting Ukraine would continue resisting. However, support from allies and reinvigorated armament were deemed necessary to reclaim lost territories.
At a nearby field hospital, nighttime proved the only safe period for collecting the injured as drone activity persisted. Surgeons like Dima grappled with pressing casualty rates, bandaging young men wounded in ongoing clashes. The doctor's commitment reflects the unyielding spirit of those on the frontlines who yearn for peace but refuse to give up their homeland.
As the situation in Donetsk deteriorates, fortified defenses are erected, symbolizing a desperate struggle against looming Russian aggression. Despite the weight of exhaustion, the fight for every inch of territory rages on, sparked by the hope of restoring peace and sovereignty to Ukraine.
