– The more people left Donetsk now, the less time Russian troops have to kill, was the message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when the authorities issued an eviction notice at the end of July.
Delivery problems: There are problems with the supply of the Donetsk region with water, food, gas and medicine. Photo: REUTERS/NACHO DOCE
Now only a fifth of those who lived in this area remain.
– Many cities have become ghost towns, says TV 2 reporter Kjetil Iden.
Russian missile launch
He and photographer Aage Aune have spent the past few days traveling around Donetsk province, which the Russian president said is an obvious target to conquer.
– Russian rockets and grenades rain on this area daily, said Eden from Kramatorsk.
Kramatorsk is the last major Ukrainian-controlled city of Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine. According to Eden, the Russians have intensified their bombing of the city in recent days.
Trenches: New trenches are constantly being dug along the front line in Donetsk. Photo: AFP / Anatoly Stepanov
At the same time, they see that new trenches are being created and that the Ukrainian army is preparing to defend the area.
“We see massive military activity in Kramatorsk now, and as we walked around the area, we constantly hear the thunder of deep artillery strikes,” says Eden.
The sick and the elderly are left
It is estimated that about 350,000 people, including 50,000 children, remain in Donetsk.
Many of those who did not comply with eviction orders by the authorities are sick and elderly people who have not had the opportunity to leave the area. They are now getting help from volunteers to get out.
“These people depend on the delivery of food and medicine, and when society collapses as we see here in the East now, the authorities can no longer fully guarantee basic services,” says Eden.
TV 2 in Ukraine: – Fears that this region will fall into the hands of the Russians
strikes back
East of Kramatorsk, Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks on the towns of Soledar and Bakhmut, according to the Ukrainian General Staff, according to NTB. At the same time, Russian artillery attacks continue.
– Bakhmut: Ukrainian soldiers in Bakhmut on August 14. Photo: REUTERS/NACHO DOCE
The Ukrainians also repelled attacks north of Slavyansk and near Vohlidar, and Russian attacks at Pesky and Pervomaisky were halted, according to the General Staff.
None of the General Staff information can be confirmed from other sources.
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