The loss of Vuhledar has deepened Ukraine’s defense crisis, and if the Russian army maintains its current pace, Ukraine could lose all of southern Donbas by year’s end. Russian troops are advancing toward Kurakhove from both the north and east — and though an evacuation is underway, not all residents are willing to leave. Meduza shares photos from in and around the city, now caught in the combat zone.
One of the Ukrainian army’s fortifications near Vuhledar. Ukrainian forces left the city itself in early October. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A resident of a village near Vuhledar packs up his livestock and other belongings to leave for a safer area. October 9, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Evacuations are underway in Kurakhove, but not everybody is willing to leave. One resident who’s staying behind, 65-year-old pensioner Ivan Solod, covers a window in his apartment that was shattered during a shelling. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
The aftermath of another Russian shelling in Kurakhove. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A Kurakhove resident sits outside his apartment building, which was damaged in an attack.Before the war, more than 18,000 people lived in in the city. According to Donetsk Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin, by the end of September, only about 2,500 residents remained. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
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Sixty-five-year-old Liubov Solod returns to her apartment in Kurakhove, which was damaged in an attack, to retrieve whatever belongings she can. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Kurakhove. October 8, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Residents of a village near Vuhledar evacuate. October 9, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP / Scanpix / LETA