Civilians in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region Face Growing Despair
As Russian forces advance deeper into the Donetsk region, civilians face worsening conditions and an uncertain future. In Kostiantynivka, a city that was once home to 67,000 people, essential services such as power, water, and gas have become scarce. Intensified shelling and a constant drone presence have created a climate of fear, pushing the last remaining residents to flee.
In stark contrast, Kramatorsk, located just 25 kilometers (15 miles) to the north, still displays signs of life. Though the prewar population of 147,000 has dwindled, restaurants and cafes continue to operate. Despite suffering multiple strikes and being heavily militarized, daily life persists in ways that are no longer feasible in surrounding towns.
Donetsk, once the industrial heart of Ukraine, is increasingly reduced to ruins, leading residents to fear that its cities may never be rebuilt. Natalia Ivanova, a woman in her 70s who fled Kostiantynivka in early September, expressed her despair: “The region has been trampled, torn apart, turned into dust.” She predicts further destruction, stating, “I have no doubt more cities will be destroyed.”
Life on the Edge of Conflict
Kostiantynivka is now precariously positioned on a diminishing patch of Ukrainian-held territory, flanked by the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut. Ivanova described the relentless violence, stating, “They were always shooting. You’d be standing there … and all you’d hear was the whistle of shells.” After enduring months of conflict, a missile strike near her home finally compelled her to evacuate.
Having lived in Kostiantynivka her entire life, Ivanova felt as though she was abandoning everything familiar. “Please, stop it,” she pleaded to global leaders at an evacuation hub shortly after her departure. “It’s the poorest people who suffer the most. This war is senseless and stupid. We’re dying like animals—by the dozens.”
Olena Voronkova made her decision to leave Kostiantynivka earlier, in May. The owner of a beauty salon and cafe, she relocated to Kramatorsk when the conflict made it impossible to sustain her businesses. The move was not voluntary; mandatory evacuation orders and strict curfews forced her family’s hand.
Despite the turmoil, Voronkova has found a semblance of normalcy in Kramatorsk. She opened a cafe that closely resembles her original establishment and has become a gathering place for other displaced individuals. “At first, there was hope that maybe some homes would survive,” she reflected. “Now we see it’s unlikely anyone has anything left. The city is turning into another Bakhmut.”
Facing Uncertainty Together
As the war continues, Kramatorsk is gradually losing its vibrancy. Daria Horlova, 18, recalls a time when the central square buzzed with life at night. Now, the area is deserted, and a strict curfew begins at 21:00. The city is frequently subjected to bombardment due to its proximity to the front lines, located just 21 kilometers (13 miles) away.
“It’s still terrifying—when something’s flying overhead or strikes nearby, especially when it hits the city,” Horlova said. A university student studying remotely, she feels caught in a limbo, unsure of what the future holds as Russian advances continue.
To cope with her anxiety about the uncertain future, Horlova chooses to focus on immediate joys. She recently decided to get a tattoo as a lasting memory of Kramatorsk, reflecting her desire to seize the day amid chaos. “I think you just have to do things—and do them as soon as you can,” she said. “Being here, I know this tattoo will be a memory of Kramatorsk, if I end up leaving.”
The situation in the Donetsk region is dire, with lives shattered and communities deeply affected. The ongoing conflict leaves many, like Ivanova, Voronkova, and Horlova, grappling with loss and uncertainty. The resilience of these civilians shines through their stories, underscoring the profound human cost of war.
