As tensions escalate in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces seize control of Avdiivka, prompting a wave of evacuations from nearby towns. Many elderly residents, witnessing the destruction and fearing for their safety, decide to flee to areas deemed less vulnerable.
In Selydove, Maryna Batrak, bundled up against the cold, prepares to depart as Russian troops advance. She expresses grave concern over the fate of her town, citing the devastation inflicted on neighboring areas.
Valentyna Kitush, tearfully embracing her neighbors, shares her distress over the deteriorating situation in Avdiivka. The intensified shelling and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops compel her to seek refuge elsewhere.
As the evacuations commence, volunteers assist residents, including those with limited mobility, in boarding buses bound for safer locations. The scenes are marked by a mix of sadness and determination as people leave behind their homes in search of security.
In Kurakhove, another town within range of Russian attacks, residents brace themselves for the looming threat. With the frontline inching closer, they hastily gather belongings and prepare for the possibility of further violence.
Despite the hardships and uncertainties, there are moments of solidarity and resilience among the evacuees. As they embark on their journeys to safer havens, they carry with them the hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
