after the shelling of Kramatorsk, many residents refuse to flee despite fear

“We haven’t slept much in the past 45 days. We work 24 hours a day, including weekends,” sighs Alexandre Goncharenko, Sunday April 10, the mayor of Kramatorsk, has eyes ringed with fatigue. This city of Donbass, in the east of Ukraine, was targeted by a bombardment by the Russian army on Friday in which dozens of civilians perished. The chosen one called on his inhabitants to flee but he is not about to leave: “Personally, I intend to stay as long as possible, but I can never live under the control of the Russians or the separatists.”

“The hardest part is making the decision to leave the city at the right time, because if I stay and the Russians come, I risk being executed or arrested.”

Alexander Goncharenko, Mayor of Karamatorsk

at franceinfo

This risk, Maria is ready to take it. This 65-year-old retiree is sitting in front of a building typical of the Soviet years. “I don’t want to leave. I am a patriot, I will die here”, she tells us. “Do you trust the Ukrainian army to defend you?”we ask him. “Yes, 100%, I believe in her. Our soldiers are the strongest. Here there are people who support the Russians and I know they will report me if the city falls under their control. But I don’t am not afraid.”

In this largely deserted city, we also meet Inna, mother of a three-year-old girl. She and her husband refuse to pack up: “I can’t abandon my grandparents. They are 85 years old. I’m scared, but I have no other solution.” Aware of the danger that threatens, these inhabitants, who have decided to stay at all costs, are preparing for difficult days.