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 town square's stucco buildings lie in ruins from drone attacks, while trees are broken and splintered. A rough estimate reveals roughly 700 inhabitants remaining from a pre-war population of 16,000.
Some residents wish to leave but are bound by fear, loyalty, or lack of resources. An estimated 218,000 people need evacuation from the Donetsk region, with authorities struggling to rehouse those fleeing danger.
The police search for one woman who wishes to escape. As they make their way down treacherous roads, she faces a temporal crossroads—leave her memories behind or wait for another attempt at evacuation.
This decision bears a heavy weight: civilian casualties continue to spike, and the nature of the threat has evolved, with drones now targeting civilians more frequently.
The story of an old man, Volodymyr Romaniuk, reflects the painful choice many face. At 73, he risks his life to salvage belongings from his ruined home, showing a tenacity shaped by loss and perseverance.
As this conflict rages, those left behind in towns like Bilozerske find themselves at the heart of a profound tragedy—a fight for survival amid shattered dreams and unyielding loyalty.
