The Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine has long been in Moscow's sights. Vladimir Putin reportedly says he'll freeze the war in return for full control of it. Russia already controls 70% of Donetsk and nearly all of neighboring Luhansk - and is making slow but steady advances.
I’m heading to the front-line Donetsk town of Dobropillia with two humanitarian volunteers, just 8km from Russia's positions. They’re on a mission to bring the sick, elderly and children to safer ground.
At first, it goes like clockwork. We speed into the town in an armored car, equipped with rooftop drone-jamming equipment. The road is covered in tall green netting which obscures visibility from above.
This is their second trip of the morning, and the streets are mostly empty. The few remaining residents only leave their homes to quickly collect supplies. Russian attacks come daily.
A week earlier, small groups of Russian troops breached the defenses around the town, sparking fears that the front line of Ukraine's so-called 'fortress belt' might collapse. Extra troops were rushed to the area, and despite the situation being stabilized, most of Dobropillia's residents feel it’s time to go.
Despite evacuations, many are left with painful decisions. Anton expresses his desire for peace talks but fears that giving in to Russian demands will only lead to further aggression. Varia, a young volunteer, shares his skepticism about trusting Putin's promises, highlighting the grim reality in which they live.
As the article unfolds, readers are presented not only with the personal stories of those facing the trauma of displacement and loss but also with the broader implications for Ukraine's territorial integrity amidst ongoing military conflicts.
I’m heading to the front-line Donetsk town of Dobropillia with two humanitarian volunteers, just 8km from Russia's positions. They’re on a mission to bring the sick, elderly and children to safer ground.
At first, it goes like clockwork. We speed into the town in an armored car, equipped with rooftop drone-jamming equipment. The road is covered in tall green netting which obscures visibility from above.
This is their second trip of the morning, and the streets are mostly empty. The few remaining residents only leave their homes to quickly collect supplies. Russian attacks come daily.
A week earlier, small groups of Russian troops breached the defenses around the town, sparking fears that the front line of Ukraine's so-called 'fortress belt' might collapse. Extra troops were rushed to the area, and despite the situation being stabilized, most of Dobropillia's residents feel it’s time to go.
Despite evacuations, many are left with painful decisions. Anton expresses his desire for peace talks but fears that giving in to Russian demands will only lead to further aggression. Varia, a young volunteer, shares his skepticism about trusting Putin's promises, highlighting the grim reality in which they live.
As the article unfolds, readers are presented not only with the personal stories of those facing the trauma of displacement and loss but also with the broader implications for Ukraine's territorial integrity amidst ongoing military conflicts.
