Fleeing the home she’s lived in for most of her life, Maria Honcharenko, 69, clutches a small bag and her two kittens as she boards an evacuation bus from the embattled city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. For months, Maria resisted leaving, but as the frontline crept closer—now less than 8km away—she knew it was time. “My heart stops when I hear the explosions,” she says, tearfully holding an old phone with her emergency contacts.
Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Pokrovsk using ballistic missiles, artillery, and guided bombs. Serhiy Dobryak, the head of Pokrovsk’s military administration, warns that these relentless assaults threaten to sever crucial supply routes and could lead to the loss of key territories in the Donetsk region. Volunteers help Maria and others evacuate as train services have ceased, leaving the once-bustling city eerily empty.
Pokrovsk’s Strategic Importance and the Frontline Battle
Pokrovsk, a key transportation hub, stands as a critical target for Russian forces aiming to cut off Ukrainian supply lines. Should it fall, Ukraine could lose control of the Donetsk region—a devastating blow after months of fighting. On September 8, Russian forces claimed control of the village of Novohrodivka, just 10km from Pokrovsk, with Ukrainian forces retreating from the area.
As the evacuation bus fills with families, including a woman and her five-year-old daughter, it’s clear that Pokrovsk is becoming deserted. The population has halved, and most businesses, hospitals, and services have shut down. Outside the city, new trenches are being dug as Ukrainian soldiers work tirelessly to stabilize the northern flank of the battle.
In the southern flank, the town of Selidove continues to face relentless Russian attacks. At an artillery position defending the town, Ukrainian soldiers use aging howitzers to repel the advancing enemy. The battles are fierce, with the Russians attacking in groups of up to 60. Ukrainian forces fire up to 200 rounds daily, but Russian glide bombs remain a constant and devastating threat.
A City in Crisis and the Human Toll
Pokrovsk is quickly transforming into a ghost town, with more than half its population fleeing the violence. The destruction is widespread—power outages, disrupted water supplies, and wrecked infrastructure. Yet, for people like Maria Honcharenko, the decision to leave isn’t easy. As she gazes out the bus window, the city she once loved fades into the distance. It’s a journey full of fear, uncertainty, but also hope for a safer future away from the frontlines.
Leave a Reply