“Kostia! Kostia?” The volunteer’s calls echoed through the streets of Selydove, Donetsk Oblast, but were quickly drowned out by the strong winds. This was the most dangerous part of the evacuation operation in this front-line city, as Russian soldiers were only a short distance away and could target anything that moved.
Without any means of communication, the rendezvous with Kostiantyn had been arranged through word of mouth or the occasional phone call. But as Serhii arrived at the agreed upon location and time, Kostiantyn was nowhere to be found.
Selydove had become a key target for Russian forces in their offensive towards the strategic city of Pokrovsk. In just a matter of weeks, the city had transformed from a peaceful mining town to a war zone. The speed of the fighting had caught many civilians off guard, leaving them unprepared for the chaos and destruction that followed.
Unlike other front-line cities, many buildings in Selydove were still intact, a testament to the recentness of the conflict. But as Russian forces continued their assault, the city was slowly being reduced to ruins. Local police no longer entered the city and volunteers were becoming scarce, afraid of being targeted by Russian drones.
For those who remained in Selydove, life had become a constant struggle between life and death. Every decision could mean the difference between survival and becoming another casualty of war.
As Serhii parked his car under a tree, he contemplated his next move. He knew the risks of being in Selydove, but he also knew that he couldn’t turn his back on those who needed help. He took a deep breath and prepared to face the dangers that lay ahead.
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