Ukraine: in Lyssytchansk, Luhansk oblast, the feverish hope of an end to the fighting
Photo taken a few days ago in Lysychansk: a man walks past an unexploded device embedded in the ground in Lysychansk, April 11, 2022. AFP - ANATOLII STEPANOV
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Russian forces hit an oil refinery in Lysytchansk, a town very close to the front line, opposite Sevierodonetsk, this weekend.
The Russians disrupted the evacuation of civilians, and during the "silence regime" - that is, the ceasefire, to open a humanitarian corridor - they opened fire in the city center .
Meeting on site with a family waiting for the end of the fighting.
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With our special correspondents in Lyssytchansk,
Clea Broadhurst and Jad El Khoury
Like many towns in this region under Russian fire since the start of the war, the streets of Lysytchansk are deserted.
Fatinia, a 72-year-old lady, says that everyone is taking refuge in the shelters.
Our life resembles that of moles.
We go from our basement upstairs, then back, grabbing some dry bread as we go.
Rockets are constantly flying over our house.
Rather "fun", right?
Her granddaughter, Asia, didn't want to leave town, because her soul is here.
She remains hopeful that the war will end soon, despite the risks she faces.
They not only fired at the bread trucks, but also at our local bakery.
In Sevierodonetsk, they destroy food supplies, they want us to end up starving.
We wanted to go buy some bread: yesterday it cost 62 cents, today 78…
From Lyssytchansk where the Russian army continues to target civilians.
#Ukraine https://t.co/gtElkeNkc6
— Anthony Fouchard (@AnthonyFouchard) April 17, 2022
Dimitri, Asia's father, explains that he tries to keep their spirits up as best he can by playing music at their house.
During the war, no one can really play outside anymore.
Before, I had my own rock band.
Now we teach our children, my daughter and her friends, to play the drums.
My friends and I, we're trying to change their minds a little while we wait for it to end
Half-heartedly, he confides all the same that he hopes that the Ukrainian troops will win.
© RFI
►Read also: Pope Francis deplores an "Easter of war" and appeals for peace
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