Vasylkiv is a garrison town 40 km south of Kiev, a strategic target and priority for Russian forces.
The city was bombed, like this school totally destroyed by a missile.
In the rubble, notebooks, clothes and even a schoolchild's snack show the violence that may have hit this establishment.
"I think of all my friends who studied here in this school, I also think of this old gentleman who worked here. It's really atrocious for all these people and the children who were here", testifies Ivan, a resident of Vasylkiv .
At the town hall of the city, volunteers, soldiers and defense forces are active 24 hours a day. In the basements live more than a hundred refugee inhabitants.
Ludmilla was a teacher in the bombed school;
she now takes care of the families hidden here.
"We're staying, it's our town here," she explains when asked if they'll have to leave soon.
"And to go where? Everyone who lives here has decided to stay. We are not going to run away, we are going to fight, we will make the necessary decisions and always find a way to hold on."
The situation in Kasylkiv reflects the Ukrainian reality: an implacable Russian advance and a population determined to resist.
>> See also: "War in Ukraine: in Lviv, no forgiveness for the Russian invader"
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