As Russian forces continuously fire on the road leading to Avdijivka, the evacuation and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the city are difficult, Vitaly Barabash, the head of the military administration of Avdijivka, told “Laisve” radio.
According to him, despite this, local residents do not want to leave Avdijivka. He noted that on October 23 in the morning there were 1,601 people in the city.
“The logistics are very complicated. The 22 kilometers to the city are under constant shelling. This makes evacuation and the delivery of humanitarian aid very difficult. Any logistics means going one way. Of course, the enemy is trying to cut him off. The enemy tries to keep him under constant fire. Whenever they get a chance, weather permitting, they launch Orlan drones and monitor the road. Any movement is a signal for them to open fire,” informed V. Barabaš.
Reuters/Scanpix photo/Avdijivka
The head of the military administration noted that the evacuation from Avdijivka should take place on Monday, but it has not taken place for three days, not because of the danger of shelling, but because of people’s reluctance. According to him, it is very difficult to convince the townspeople to leave.
“We have a very bitter experience even in our own community. This is the village of Opytne, which belongs to our community. When it was partially occupied, we couldn’t bring humanitarian aid there and basically couldn’t visit it. And they know all about it. And these things don’t even really affect them. The answers are very simple: “We hope it doesn’t come to that, that our people will push them as far away as possible, and it will be calmer here, and everything will be fine,” he said.
Russian forces have been storming Avdijivka for about two weeks now. Earlier, the representative of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Andrijus Yusov noted that the defense of Avdijivka is very important for the protection of the territory of Ukraine.
“Avdijivka is really important. This is not the first escalation, and it is not the first time that the occupiers, starting with the military and political leadership and ending with the occupation corps, have issued orders to go to the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”
He confirmed that there is currently another escalation “over the control of Avdijivka”, but this is not the first time that the Russians have tried to take this settlement by force.
“They failed, the deadlines were postponed. Now we see another escalation,” concluded the representative of the Ukrainian defense intelligence.
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Interview with Vitaly Barabash, Head of the Military Administration of Avdijivka
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Barabash. Given the current situation in Avdijivka, could you describe the challenges you’re facing with evacuations and humanitarian aid delivery?
Vitaly Barabash: Thank you for having me. The situation here is indeed dire. Our main challenge is the constant shelling along the 22 kilometers of road leading to Avdijivka. It makes any movement extremely dangerous, whether it’s evacuation or delivering essential supplies. The enemy is always monitoring the road with drones and opens fire whenever they detect any movement.
Editor: Despite these dangers, you mentioned that residents are reluctant to evacuate. Can you elaborate on that?
Vitaly Barabash: Yes, it’s quite heartbreaking. As of October 23, we still have 1,601 people in the city, and many are adamant about staying. They have an emotional attachment to their homes and community, which makes convincing them to leave incredibly difficult. We’ve had plans for evacuation, but for the past three days, it hasn’t happened—not because of the shelling risk, but because the townspeople simply do not wish to go.
Editor: That sounds quite challenging. You also referenced a previous experience in the village of Opytne. How has that affected residents’ views on evacuation?
Vitaly Barabash: Exactly. We witnessed that during Opytne’s partial occupation, we couldn’t deliver humanitarian aid, and people experienced severe hardships. However, despite those memories, many in Avdijivka still prefer to ride out the situation rather than leave. Some are even skeptical about the chances of a successful evacuation.
Editor: What support is available for those who do choose to stay, and how can others help the situation?
Vitaly Barabash: We are doing our best to provide humanitarian aid to those who remain. Local organizations and volunteers are stepping up, but our resources are limited due to the logistics challenges. Outside support, whether in the form of supplies or financial aid, is immensely valuable. The more we can keep the logistics flowing, the better we can support those in need.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Barabash, for your insight and for your dedication to the people of Avdijivka during this difficult time. We hope for a safe resolution soon.
Vitaly Barabash: Thank you for shedding light on our situation. Every little bit of awareness helps.
Kes it difficult to convince them to leave, even with the threats present. They believe that things might improve, and they remain hopeful for a safer future here, which is quite common among residents who have faced hardships for an extended period.
Editor: You mentioned trying to evacuate people, but it has not occurred for three days now. What are the main factors contributing to this situation?
Vitaly Barabash: The primary factor is the reluctance of the people to leave. We had planned evacuations, but each time the residents express their wish to stay. They have seen how severe conditions can become, like what happened in the nearby village of Opytne, and yet they cling to the hope that this time will be different. It’s a testament to their resilience but presents significant challenges for us as a military administration.
Editor: With Russian forces intensifying their efforts around Avdijivka, what strategies are being employed to defend the city? What can you tell us about its strategic importance?
Vitaly Barabash: Avdijivka is crucial for Ukraine’s territorial defense. It has been a focal point of conflict for some time, and it is vital to maintain presence and control here. Our forces are working diligently to repel attacks, and despite multiple escalations, we believe it is essential to keep this area secure. We draw lessons from past attempts by occupying forces, which we manage to thwart time and again.
Editor: What message do you want to convey to those following the situation in Avdijivka?
Vitaly Barabash: I want them to know that despite the ongoing crisis, the spirit of the people here remains strong. Their resilience in the face of adversity is commendable. We urge the international community not to forget about us and continue providing humanitarian support, as every bit of assistance is vital for survival and morale. Together, we hope to overcome these challenges.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Barabash, for sharing your insights and the current situation in Avdijivka. We will continue to follow this crucial story.
Vitaly Barabash: Thank you for having me. Stay safe.
