**War in Ukraine: Soldiers Turned Prisoners**
A village in Moldova near the Russian-controlled region of Transnistria is now home to a group of former prisoners who are fighting for Ukraine. These men were serving sentences behind bars but have been given a chance to join the military in exchange for their parole.
They are part of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion, known as “Da Vinci.” The battalion’s soldiers listen attentively to instructions on how to evacuate civilians from front-line cities like Selydove. This is a crucial task, especially when Russian soldiers are nearby.
**Evacuating Civilians**
In Selydove, making contact with civilians who have agreed to leave is the most dangerous part of any evacuation operation. Volunteer soldiers must make sure that everyone knows what’s happening and where they need to go. The winds can be strong, making it hard for people to hear each other.
**Prisoners Turned Soldiers**
Most of the men in this battalion were prisoners just a few months ago. They have been given a chance to join the military and serve their country. In return, they will receive parole. This is a unique opportunity for those who are eager to break free from their prison sentences.
The Kyiv Independent has visited Pokrovsk and joined volunteers evacuating civilians from Selydove. The situation on the ground is intense, with Russian forces advancing across multiple regions.
**Rescuers in War-Torn Ukraine**
In a different part of Ukraine, rescuers from the Mobile Rescue Center are working tirelessly to help people affected by aerial attacks. They come to sites where people have been injured or killed and do their best to rescue those who are still alive.
The State Emergency Service is doing its best to provide assistance in these situations. Rescuers work through rubble to find living and dead bodies, a difficult task under the current circumstances.
**Power Outages in Ukraine**
Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leading to frequent power outages across the country. In Kyiv, residents are experiencing blackouts, making life challenging during the summer months. The situation is similar in other parts of Ukraine where energy supply is interrupted.
This video shows how Kyiv is coping with these disruptions. Residents must adjust their daily routines to account for the lack of electricity.
**New Opportunities**
A prisoner at a medium-security prison in Zhytomyr Oblast has seized an opportunity to break free from his two-and-a-half-year sentence. He will join an assault unit and serve the military in exchange for parole under new Ukrainian legislation allowing prisoners convicted of certain felonies, including manslaughter, to do so.
The Kakhovka reservoir is now a lush green forest after Russia blew up its dam last year. The destruction caused nearly 20 cubic kilometers of water to flood Ukraine’s four southern regions.
**Russian Advances**
Russian forces are advancing in the Donbas region, which remains Moscow’s primary target. Public attention has shifted to renewed offensives in other parts of Ukraine, but Russian forces continue to push forward.
In Kharkiv Oblast, battles are fought under enemy drones’ swarming skies. Even minimal movement or quick dashes from one house to another can be deadly due to drone attacks.
**Rebuilding**
A tank company from the 110th Mechanized Brigade serves in a highly intense part of Ukraine’s eastern front line. The brigade is working tirelessly to repair and restore equipment, including tanks.
In Chernihiv, officers, soldiers, and volunteers watched as a shipping container with an installed repair workshop was lowered onto the ground. This mobile repair complex, known as Workshop Tvii Krok (Your Step), will help in restoring damaged military equipment.
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