Urgent Update: Civilians in Donetsk Face Dire Conditions Amid Russian Advance
UPDATE: Civilians in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are facing unprecedented despair as the Russian military advances deeper into key strongholds, leaving essential supplies dwindling and fear dominating daily life. As of September 2023, the situation in Kostiantynivka has become critical, with the population of 67,000 grappling with severe shortages of power, water, and gas.
In Kostiantynivka, relentless shelling and drone activity have driven away the last remaining residents. Nearby Kramatorsk, which is just 25 kilometers (15 miles) north, still shows signs of life. With a prewar population of 147,000, some cafes and restaurants remain operational, although the city is now heavily militarized. Residents fear that if the war continues, Kramatorsk could soon face the same fate as Kostiantynivka.
The destruction in Donetsk is palpable. Residents like Natalia Ivanova, a woman in her 70s who fled Kostiantynivka after a missile struck near her home, describe the region as “trampled, torn apart, turned into dust.” She expressed her fears, stating, “I have no doubt more cities will be destroyed.”
The situation has forced many, including Olena Voronkova, a business owner who evacuated earlier in May, to leave their homes and livelihoods behind. Voronkova relocated to Kramatorsk after a rocket strike devastated her properties. “We had no other option,” she lamented, as she now runs a similar cafe in Kramatorsk, which has become a refuge for fellow evacuees.
As the war continues to escalate, the mood in Kramatorsk is heavy. Daria Horlova, an 18-year-old student and nail artist, shared her fears of being trapped in a limbo state. “It’s terrifying that most of the Donetsk region is occupied,” she said. “Everything could change at any moment.”
Local authorities are urging civilians to evacuate as the threat of bombardment looms large. The sense of uncertainty permeates the air, with many residents echoing the sentiment of hopelessness amidst ongoing violence.
“Please, stop it,” Ivanova pleaded to world leaders during her evacuation. “It’s the poorest people who suffer the most. This war is senseless and stupid. We’re dying like animals — by the dozens.”
The plight of civilians in Donetsk underscores the urgent need for international attention and humanitarian aid as the conflict intensifies. As the Russian military tightens its grip on the region, the situation for those remaining grows increasingly desperate.
Authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation, with evacuations becoming more frequent. The immediate future remains uncertain as residents cling to the hope of peace, while the reality of war threatens to engulf their lives.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
