Elderly Evacuated as Russian Forces Approach Pokrovsk, Ukraine

In a somber scene unfolding in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, elderly residents are being evacuated as Russian forces draw nearer to the city. On August 22, 2024, volunteers assisted frail and bedbound individuals in leaving their homes, marking another chapter in the ongoing conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Mariia Moiseieva, a 94-year-old resident, experienced her second evacuation since the war's onset. Volunteers carefully transported her from her apartment using a makeshift sling, symbolizing the urgency of the situation. Moiseieva had previously fled Bakhmut, which fell to Russian control in May 2023.

The evacuation order comes as Russian troops reportedly advance to within 10 kilometers of Pokrovsk, a city of strategic importance in the Donetsk region. Founded in 1875 as a railway station, Pokrovsk serves as a crucial logistics point, intersecting major roads and rail lines. This significance has made it a target in the ongoing conflict.

Authorities have mandated the departure of families with children and strongly urged all civilians to evacuate. The situation has created a palpable sense of urgency among residents. Liudmyla Sydorenko, a relative of Moiseieva, described the scene:

"Everyone is in panic, people are running away. I went outside and was shocked: people with paper boxes there, mass evacuation. We don't want to leave, but we have to. We thought we could stay here. It's very difficult."

The evacuation efforts are particularly challenging for the city's elderly population. Volunteers from organizations like "East SOS" are working tirelessly to assist those unable to leave on their own. Roman Koltsov, a volunteer, highlighted the deteriorating situation in Pokrovsk and nearby towns, emphasizing the need for evacuation in areas such as Myrnohrad and Selydove.

Prior to the war, Pokrovsk was home to around 60,000 people and served as an important coal mining center in the Donbas region. The city, located approximately 50 km from Donetsk city, has been part of the Ukrainian-controlled territory in Donetsk Oblast, which has faced partial occupation by Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

Despite the increased shelling and fierce fighting, some residents remain reluctant to leave their homes. This hesitation persists even as the city, which has been a key evacuation point for those fleeing frontline areas, now faces its own evacuation crisis.

In an attempt to alleviate pressure on the eastern front, Ukraine launched an incursion into Russia's Kursk region on August 6, 2024. However, volunteers report that this tactic has not yet had a noticeable impact on the situation in Pokrovsk.

As the evacuation continues, the future remains uncertain for Pokrovsk and its residents. The city, once known for its rich cultural heritage and educational institutions, now stands as a testament to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine.