The white armoured police van speeds into the eastern Ukrainian town of Bilozerske, a steel cage mounted across its body to protect it from Russian drones.
They'd already lost one van, a direct hit from a drone to the front of the vehicle; the cage, and powerful rooftop drone jamming equipment, offer extra protection. But still, it's dangerous being here: the police, known as the White Angels, want to spend as little time in Bilozerske as possible.
The small, pretty mining town, just nine miles from the front line, is slowly being destroyed by Russia's summer offensive. The local hospital and banks have long since closed. The stucco buildings in the town square are shattered from drone attacks, the trees along its avenues are broken and splintered. Neat rows of cottages with corrugated roofs and well-tended gardens stream past the car windows. Some are untouched, others burned-out shells.
An estimated 218,000 people need evacuation from the Donetsk region, including 16,500 children. The area is crucial to the country's defense and bears the brunt of Russia's invasion, facing daily attacks from drones and missiles. Some residents are unable to leave, while others are unwilling to abandon their homes.
As the police leave town, an old man pushing a bicycle appears. He's the only soul I see on the streets that day. Volodymyr Romaniuk, a 73-year-old local, is risking his life for two cooking pots he's collected on his bike. He explains he isn't afraid of the drones, saying, What will be, will be. You know, at 73 years old, I'm not afraid anymore. I've already lived my life. His determination reflects the complicated emotions of residents remaining in these towns despite escalating nearby combat.
As Russian artillery lands on the hills near Slovyansk, trickles of residents like Nadiia and Oleh Moroz remain despite constant threats. The couple mourns their son who died in combat, expressing their unwillingness to leave their history, family, and memories despite the risks of staying put. Yet, as they dread the fights drawing closer, they recognize the need for an escape route.
The stories of Bilozerske, Slovyansk, and the surrounding areas bear witness not just to the immediate dangers but to the profound attachments people have to their homes, making the decision to evacuate one soaked in emotional weight and personal sacrifice.
