Anzhelika Sharonova and her 86-year-old mother had been residing in their eastern Ukrainian town as long as they could, but were forced to flee due to advancing Russian forces threatening the area. Toretsk, a former coal-mining town, has been on the front line of the conflict with Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. Sharonova and her mother had been surviving on humanitarian aid deliveries as the town struggled with a lack of basic services and ongoing fighting. Buildings in the area were damaged, and the streets were filled with dogs and sounds of artillery.
Life in Toretsk had become virtually unlivable for the remaining population, estimated to be less than 12,000 out of a pre-invasion population of at least 66,000, according to regional police. Sharonova and her mother were among the few people evacuated each week by the relief group East SOS, which operates in the war-torn Donetsk region. The group responded to calls and rescued elderly and infirm residents from their homes and local hospitals, transporting them to safer locations away from the front line.
Despite the dangers, some residents in Toretsk were determined to stay until their homes were completely destroyed. Sharonova and her mother, however, decided to leave for a larger city in central Ukraine where they did not expect to return. East SOS member Oleksandr Stasenko expressed the emotional toll of helping frightened people evacuate, but emphasized the importance of pulling oneself together to provide assistance to those in need. The team from East SOS continued their missions to evacuate vulnerable individuals from areas impacted by the conflict.
The situation in Toretsk and surrounding areas was dire, with bombs falling near buildings and missile attacks hitting homes in nearby villages. The ongoing surge in fighting and destruction had made life increasingly dangerous for those who remained in their homes. With few stores open and essential services lacking, surviving in the war-torn town had become a challenge for many residents. The situation was exacerbated by the recent Russian advances, which threatened to engulf Toretsk and other vulnerable towns in the region.
The evacuation efforts by East SOS were crucial in rescuing vulnerable individuals from the conflict-affected areas. The relief group roamed the Donetsk region on a near-daily basis, responding to calls and assisting with evacuations. Elders and the infirm were among those prioritized for evacuation, as they were most vulnerable to the dangers of the conflict zone. The scenes of destruction and desperation were evident as residents were rescued and transported to safety away from the front line, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
As Sharonova and her mother left their homes in Toretsk, it marked the end of their endurance of two wartime winters in the battered town. Their decision to seek refuge in a larger city reflected the harsh realities faced by many residents in the conflict zone. The emotional toll on both evacuees and rescuers was evident, but the commitment to providing aid and support to those affected by the conflict remained strong. The ongoing evacuation efforts by East SOS and other relief groups were essential in alleviating the suffering of vulnerable individuals caught in the crossfire of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
