In the face of constant shelling and destruction, Alla Viktorivna, a resident of Stepnohirsk in southern Ukraine, has chosen to stay in her village. Despite the danger, she refuses to abandon her home, garden, and beloved pets. She recounts times when she had to quickly take cover under her sofa as she heard the whistling and smashing sounds of explosions. The neighboring village of Kamianske has also faced heavy bombardment, forcing its residents to flee. However, three brave women, Svitlana, Lesya, and Natasha, risk their lives to collect supplies from Stepnohirsk, including sacks of dog food, which they transport on their bicycles. They endure the long and treacherous journey by taking cover multiple times along the way. These women only provide their first names due to safety concerns.
Lesya shares the tragic loss of her husband, who was killed in their garden by a Russian shell in April of the previous year. Svitlana’s house was destroyed by shelling, and she had to seek refuge in her neighbor’s home. She also sustained injuries from a blast when distributing bread to the villagers in April. Despite these hardships, there have been tactical gains made by Ukraine’s counteroffensive this summer, with the Institute for the Study of War acknowledging significant progress. The village of Urozhaine was recently retaken by Ukrainian forces, marking a significant achievement. However, Russian troops continue to intensify their attacks near the city of Kupiansk, but Ukrainian forces remain resilient and successfully defend against these assaults.
In the vicinity of Kamianske, artillery shells are exchanged day and night between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Most residents have fled, leaving the village in ruins. Only local firefighters, like Serhii, dare to enter Kamianske to extinguish fires, rescue the injured, and deliver essential supplies. Although his own home, along with almost every other building in the village, has been destroyed, Serhii remains committed to his duties.
Back in Stepnohirsk, Ms. Viktorivna struggles with her small street market business, as there are few customers left in the village. Svitlana, Lesya, and Natasha rely on their gardens for sustenance and care for their dogs amidst the ongoing shelling. They have turned their cellars into living spaces and find solace in praying and waiting for victory.
Despite the heartbreaking situation, these resilient individuals find strength in their deep connection to their homes and their determination to fight for their land. The emotional toll is evident as Natasha bursts into tears while speaking. Svitlana expresses her unwavering commitment, stating that she was born and baptized in her village and will remain there until the end.
Note: Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed to this report from London.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
