Victoria Miloshnicenko has reopened a toy store in Kramatorsk, a city near the forefront of eastern Ukraine.
She said, "I'm a little scared, but I'm used to it," she said from behind the counter in a store that sells stuffed animals, bicycles, and children's scooters.
The shopkeeper said she was absent from her work for almost three months without any substantial support from the state.
Like many others in Kramatorsk, her business was closed after the start of the Russian invasion on February 24th.
However, in the past few weeks, the store has been gradually reopened and residents have returned to the city. In the eastern Donbus region of Ukraine.
"On my street with about 300 homes, almost all the inhabitants were gone, and now almost all are back," said Miloshnicenko.
Kramatorsk, a metropolis in the heart of the Ukrainian-dominated ruins of Donbas, is rejuvenated even when Russian artillery is bombarding near Slovyansk, Siversk and Bakumut.
However, according to Oleg Malimonienko, who has just reopened the restaurant, people have no choice but to go home.
"In 99%, that's because they eat well and have to pay rent and invoices," said the 54-year-old.
Marimonienko wants customers to gather at his restaurant, including some of the Ukrainian soldiers roaming the city.
Soldiers were a valuable source of income for Natalia Kirichenko. The clerk said she was a regular customer and she bought the most items, especially knives and daggers.
"Many people like us are back in Kramatorsk, but they don't have the money." 56-Old, she's her He added that he had no choice but to resume work.
She said she received state assistance while her store was closed for three months, but not enough to achieve her goals. ..
"When we hear a fairly powerful bombardment from either side, we feel threatened and wonder what is waiting for us," said Kirichenko, who resigned. ..
Miloshnicenko said that the most difficult thing about working without a car is the unpredictable nature of using public transport during the war.
"The tram stops every time the bomb siren sounds," she said. The alarm went off several times a day, and since Miloshnicenko reopened her business, she had the courage to walk 50 minutes to her store.
Due to the struggle to avoid Kramatorsk, the Volodymyr Pozolotin bike center is now back in service, store employees said from the basement of the building.
"Some people are afraid to get in the car, so many people asked me on the YouTube channel when I restarted. Use petrol or a service station. I don't want to join the long line of people. "
"So they come to buy or repair a bike," said a 33-year-old who pedals 4 km (2.5 miles) daily to commute between home and work. Told.
The number of customers is only 10% before the war, but "better than nothing," said the young man with a smile.
Pozorotin said he stayed in Kramatorsk throughout the war and has become accustomed to the distant bark of artillery that has saved the city so far.
"If you fall near here, you'll know," he said.
He was clear in his commitment to Kramatorsk about the prospect that the city was in serious danger. "Leave? But where?"
