“We are in the city’s temporary cemetery next to the church,” shows Serhiy Novikov in a report on Radio Free Europe. He is the head of the military administration in the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region. “Some of the people buried here have died a natural death. But most perished during the Russian shelling of the city. A proper cemetery is located outside the city, but now people can’t get there. Nothing goes there now and there is no one to dig graves. People are still afraid to go there because of the constant shelling. To date, May 6, 28 people have been killed in Vuhledar during the shelling. “
Russian troops continue to attack in the Donbas and in the direction of Zaporozhye, in the northeast of the country are trying to strengthen border protection with Ukraine. Vuhledar is located near the front line and is practically under constant shelling of Russian artillery.
“There are also air strikes here,” RFE / RL reporter Levko Stek describes the situation in the city. “Of course there are a lot of civilian casualties. That’s why the streets here are empty. People hide in shelters and cellars. The last time there was a tragedy was on May 3, right here, “he describes.
People came to get drinking water because the city is cut off from supplies. Most buildings in the city are not only without water, but also without electricity and gas. As they filled their canisters, the place was hit by enemy fire. Three people died on the spot.
The reporter spoke to people who stay in the city. For example, with Tetjana, who is hiding in a cellar inside one of the houses with her children. “We came here on March 12 and have been here ever since. We have a candle to light. There is also some light from the battery, “he says.
How difficult is it for her children to live in such conditions? “It is difficult. They want to go out. But it’s dangerous because of the shelling. I’m worried about them, but we don’t have the money to go anywhere else, “confides Tetjana.
“Where else could we go? Here we were born and here we grew up. We have everything here, “adds another woman who also lives in the basement. “No electricity, no gas, no water. We collect firewood and cook on the fire. Sometimes we prepare food for two days. We do what we can. We hope that, as they say, Mother Ukraine will protect us. “
Many buildings in the city are marked by Russian artillery and rocket fire. “Shrapnel is shooting at us and shrapnel is falling here. We have broken windows. Some buildings were directly affected – such as the military administration building. It is now without windows, “shows Serhiy Novikov.
“What are they shooting at?” The reporter asks. “From the Grad rocket launchers. What you see on the walls were shards of Grad grenade. About 70 percent of all buildings in the city are damaged. ”
More details in the introductory video.
War in Ukraine
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