A bus with "children" written in Russian or Ukrainian on the windshield.
It is the people of Mykolaiv who are on the buses arriving one after another at the border of Moldova, south of Ukraine.
A key point in southern Ukraine is under heavy attack by Russian troops.
What is happening in Mykolaiv, which President Zelensky calls the "city of heroes"?
Airstrikes and missiles Who escaped?
Buses from Mykolaiv were prepared by the authorities for residents wishing to evacuate.
Even houses and hospitals have been the target of attacks, and residents say that Russian military attacks have become indiscriminate these days.
A 51-year-old woman we spoke to at the border of Moldova said, "In Mykolaiv, airstrikes have continued and air raid sirens have been ringing. I lived hiding in a shelter in the basement of my house, but Russia. I escaped because I was afraid of being surrounded by the army. "
A 34-year-old woman said, "At first there was a fight in the suburbs, but missiles are now flying over the city we live in. My home is still okay, but the neighboring town is attacked. It's a dire situation. I'm afraid that the citizens are still aiming for it. "
Buses for mass evacuation began to arrive in Moldova around March 20th.
It was a time when the attacks were gradually escalating.
Mykolaiv Why target?
The importance of Mykolaiv to the Russian army is obvious on the map.
Known as a shipbuilding town with a population of 470,000, the ancient waterway hub is also a land route hub.
Russian troops advancing along the Black Sea seize control of the city of Kherson near the base of the Crimean Peninsula, which is in effective control.
Mykolaiv is on its way from there to Odesa, the largest port city that Russia appears to have set as a military target.
On March 18, a military facility in Mykolaiv was hit by a Russian missile, killing at least 50 people.
On the 21st, a gas station was attacked, killing three people and increasing civilian casualties.
Russia is focusing on military operations in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militants are influential, but on March 26, it announced that it had destroyed a fuel facility on the outskirts of Mikoraiu with cruise missiles such as the "Calibre". I am.
In addition, a rocket attack on the State Capitol on the 29th reportedly killed 14 people so far.
Residents who stay in Mykolaiv
"I'm worried that my parents are still in Mykolaiv."
A Ukrainian woman living in Japan was worried about her mother with heart disease and her father with high blood pressure.
On March 13th, the area where the parents lived was attacked by the Russian army and the electricity supply network failed, causing a large-scale power outage.
Her father, Nikolai (68), gave a short message to her daughter, who was worried that the cold would hurt her if she couldn't use electricity, as the minimum temperature dropped to below freezing. Arrived.
The only thing I told you was the preparation when the smartphone could not be charged due to a power outage.
Six days later, we were able to talk to Nikolai on the phone.
What has changed in the town?
"Today there was an alarm that warned of the danger of an attack by the Russian army, and it was just lifted. Recently, several times a day, the alarm siren has sounded and the
Ukrainian army has been forced to evacuate underground.
I've heard that Russian troops can't enter Mykolaiv because they're doing well. In addition, they're blocking the Russian troops by raising a bridge over the surrounding rivers to keep them out of the town. As the attack becomes more difficult, it seems that they are attacking with sirens instead.
Recently, the Russian army's attack has subsided a little, so the bridge over the South Buch River on the Odesa side is gradually passing through. However, the bridge is still blocked because the river on the Kieu side is still dangerous. "
Do you feel dangerous?
"Since the invasion of the Russian army, the sounds of missiles and airstrikes have been heard. Today, I heard them while I was sleeping. It seems that they are flying from Kherson, and there is a loud noise. Mikoraiu also has an important shipyard, so you probably want to destroy it. "
Do you have enough daily necessities?
"At first it was hard to get medicine. There was a long line at the pharmacy and the customers were panicking. After that, volunteers gradually started to support me and I also had medicine. Now that I can cross the bridge to Odessa, it seems that the pharmacy line is gone.
I'm running out of tranquilizers. My wife keeps listening to the sirens. I'm sick and lying down. My wife and I are taking medicines for heart disease and high blood pressure, but they don't improve my physical condition so much, and the tranquilizer works best. So I take a lot. After all, I'm scared and uncomfortable. "
"Also, the supermarket was sold out because of the bridge being cut off before, but I could buy it when I went with my wife the other day. The Russian army was a little far away, so my life was a little longer. It's getting easier. "
Do you not evacuate?
"It's a long journey to evacuate from here in Mykolaiv to another country. I used to work as a driver, but now my blood pressure can reach 240 and driving is very dangerous and difficult. I also feel.
Furthermore, I heard that there are many soldiers who have fled the Russian army in Ukraine, and they are all aiming for a car to pass because they are hungry. Since they have weapons, they are ordinary civilians. But he seems to be killing and hurt. For now, I just keep praying while continuing to hide in the basement. "