Ukrainian forces are working to halt the Russian army’s advance towards the city of Pokrovosk in eastern Donetsk. The Ukrainian government continues evacuations from the area, as ongoing Russian bombings increase the dangers.
Pokrovosk has been reduced to rubble due to Russian bombings. Despite this, about 7,000 residents have remained, even though the city lacks heating gas, electricity, and running water.
Ukrainian soldiers attempt to convince the civilians to evacuate. One soldier tells the residents, “Why are you still here? What if they bomb? You can return once things calm down.” But some refuse, such as Leonid, a local resident, who reassures them: “Don’t worry, nothing will happen to us.”
Volunteers like Yevhen Tuzov report that the elderly are mostly refusing to leave. Tuzov explains that the elderly residents often feel they cannot survive elsewhere with limited resources, especially those living on a pension of $85 per month.
Evacuations have become even more dangerous as Russian forces use optical fiber drones immune to electromagnetic waves, making them incredibly dangerous, with no armored vehicle safe from their attacks.
Pokrovosk is a key city, located at the crossroads of important highways and railways, and is a major source of coal used in the steel industry. Mining operations were halted last month.
John Hardie of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies suggests that Russian forces view controlling Pokrovosk as both a symbolic and strategic victory, allowing them to advance in multiple directions.
Meanwhile, police and volunteers continue evacuation efforts as Russian forces close in.
