Anzhelika Sharonova and her 86-year-old mother were forced to flee their battered eastern Ukrainian town of Toretsk as Russian forces continued to advance in multiple parts of the eastern front. They were evacuated by East SOS, a relief group, as their town became virtually unlivable due to a surge in fighting and a lack of basic services. Sharonova and her mother had mostly relied on humanitarian aid deliveries as few stores remained open and the nearest hospital was far away. The town was in ruins, with buildings damaged, dogs roaming the streets, and residents facing constant threats of bombings and missile attacks.
Life in Toretsk had become increasingly dangerous for the remaining residents, with less than 12,000 people remaining out of a pre-invasion population of at least 66,000, according to regional police. East SOS, which conducts near-daily evacuations in the war-scarred Donetsk region, evacuated Sharonova and her mother along with two dozen others each week. The group responds to calls for assistance from elderly and infirm residents, transporting them from their homes and local hospitals to safer locations further from the front line.
Despite the dangers and destruction in Toretsk, some residents are determined to stay until their homes are completely destroyed. Sharonova and her mother, however, do not expect to return to their town as they head to a larger city in central Ukraine. The emotional toll on both the evacuees and the rescuers is significant, as they witness the fear and devastation faced by those caught in the conflict. East SOS member, Oleksandr Stasenko, described the difficulty of seeing frightened people and the need to maintain composure while providing assistance.
The situation in eastern Ukraine continues to escalate as Russian forces advance, leaving towns like Toretsk in shambles and residents in constant fear of bombings and missile attacks. The evacuations conducted by groups like East SOS provide a lifeline for those unable to escape on their own, offering them a chance at safety and security in more stable regions of the country. The conflict has displaced thousands of people and ravaged communities, leaving many without access to essential services and facing a precarious future.
Sharonova and her mother’s decision to leave their hometown highlights the desperate circumstances faced by many Ukrainians caught in the crossfire of the conflict. As the war in eastern Ukraine drags on, the need for humanitarian assistance and international support becomes increasingly urgent. The resilience of individuals like Sharonova and her mother, who have endured years of hardship and uncertainty, serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of solidarity in times of crisis.
