Civilians living in the port city of the Donetsk region, which was again under the control of the Ukrainian army about 4.5 months ago, continue to struggle for survival in harsh conditions.
The civilians in the port, where the Ukrainian army regained control in October 2022, are trying to survive in the city, where the infrastructure is badly damaged.
In the city, which reflects the bitter face of the war and where very few people are seen on the streets, the sounds of heavy clashes on the front can be heard intensely and clearly.
In the city, where the roads are frozen due to winter and the air temperature drops to 15 degrees below zero, gas and drinking water services cannot be provided to the houses, while electricity is partially provided because the civil infrastructure has been destroyed.
The concentration of Ukrainian soldiers in and around the port city draws attention, as the Russian army has recently increased its attacks on the Donetsk and Luhansk fronts.
Russian air attacks on the city, where many people continue to live in shelters or warehouses of houses due to the threat of attack, further aggravate the situation of the people.
“We think the attacks are over, but they are starting again”
Nadya Roiko, 63, who lives in the damaged building in the port, told AA correspondent that her conditions were very difficult.
Roiko stated that about half an hour before starting the interview, the bomb fell next to the house where she lived and her house was damaged in the airstrike carried out by the Russian forces.
Stating that the windows and doors of her house were also broken due to the violence of the explosion that took place a short time ago, Roiko noted that she lives alone at home and will have to live in a windowless house in the cold nights of winter from now on.
Pointing out that the attacks against the city continue, Roiko said, “It is not clear when the attack will occur. Sometimes we try to forget the attacks and there is an attack again. Today, 20 or 30 minutes ago, there was an attack here.” she said.
Unable to hold back her tears while describing her experiences, Roiko reacted to Russia’s attacks and said, “When will all this end? We can’t handle it anymore, we have no strength left. We live in terrible conditions. We think the attacks are over, but they are starting again.” he said.
Roiko stated that a significant part of the city was destroyed, “Everything was destroyed. I don’t know how all this will be rebuilt, how it will be done. This is how we live. We support each other, we are in solidarity.” used the phrases.
He has been living in a shelter with his neighbors for 10 months.
38-year-old Sasha, who has been living in an area used as a shelter in the warehouse of an apartment in another district of Liman, also stated that it is not safe to stay at home.
Sasha, who did not reveal her surname for security reasons, stated that she sent her husband and child to a safer place when the war started, and that she stayed here to take care of her home.
Explaining that the place where they were staying was filled with smoke because they used a wood stove for heating, Sasha noted that there were 7 people in total, staying with their neighbors.
Stating that they have been fighting for their lives in this shelter for about 10 months, Sasha said, “After all, this is not living, this is a struggle for survival.” said.