Russian forces have been concentrating their assault on the Donetsk region in the east of the country since June. Three quarters of the Ukrainian population living in the area were evacuated. Despite the persistent danger, hundreds of residents have chosen to stay put, for example in Siversk.
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Artillery fire resounds from the early hours of the morning. Audariya, 66, has not left her neighborhood in the east of the city. An abandoned district, without water or electricity, with only a generator, installed by Ukrainian soldiers. In the distance, a hill looms. The first Russian positions are just behind, only five kilometers away.
“My life here begins with prayerssays Audariya. I fetch water from the well and thanks to the soldiers, we can recharge our mobile phones.” With a strange smile, she adds: “I trust the celestial forces. I feel the presence of God.“
At the other end of town lives Olga, a former teacher. Despite the empty and lifeless buildings around her, the retiree does not consider leaving for a second “his dear Siversk“.
“It’s my city. My sons are buried here, I will never abandon them. I studied here, I worked for 40 years. I hope I can last another month.”
Before the war, Siversk had 40,000 inhabitants. Today there are only 1,500 left, some of which are pro-Russian, although the city is still under Ukrainian control. This is according to Vasil, a soldier in the 103ᵉ brigade of the Ukrainian territorial defense, at the head of one of the units which defend the city. “The Russians have not advanced, he explains. They advance one kilometer and retreat one kilometer. They failed to take Siversk and won’t..”
Although still in Ukrainian hands, the city of Siversk is not intact. The road is riddled with impacts, the wheat fields are black, burned by the firing of rockets and shells.