Ukraine: after the capture of Lyman, the inhabitants of Kramatorsk prepare for the worst
Homes bombed in Kramatorsk (Ukraine), May 26, 2022. © Jad El Khoury / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Russia continues its offensive in the Donbass.
Pro-Russian separatists said on Friday that they had taken the town of Lyman, a few dozen kilometers north of Kramatorsk, one of the last major cities still controlled by the Ukrainians.
Some of the residents still live there, although many are taking precautions.
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With our special correspondents in Kramatorsk,
Sébastien Németh
and
Jad El Khoury
Pavel puts bags in the trunk of his car.
This inhabitant has not left the city, but the Russian offensive forces him to take the lead.
“
When the Russians want to take a city, they destroy everything.
So I filled up with gas.
I have clothes, food, medicine.
We can leave at any time.
»
In front of the Post Office, Svetlana prepares bags of clothes.
While according to the town hall, 70% of the inhabitants have fled, she is one of the approximately 50,000 people still living in Kramatorsk.
“
The Russian advance worries us but our whole life is here.
Nevertheless, we are preparing.
I send things by post to my children in Poland.
If it gets worse we'll go to my parents.
I have to be with them in such a situation.
»
For three months, the local authorities have been encouraging people to leave
.
The mayor, Oleksa Gonchalenko, is very worried.
“
We did everything we could.
Unfortunately, some residents refuse to leave.
If the Russians try to occupy the city, 45,000
people will have to be evacuated.
For me, that's the worst case scenario.
»
Eight years ago Kramatorsk was occupied with street fighting.
The inhabitants are now all afraid that history will repeat itself.
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