Even in the fierce battle in Soledar, which is only 15 km away, “Bahmut is my land”
Receive relief supplies provided by soldiers and volunteers and ‘pray’ and endure
“This is my land.
I’m not leaving.
“
Residents of Bakhmut, a military hub in Donetsk in eastern Russia, did not seem to have any intention of leaving their hometown despite the news that the Russian army was fighting fierce battles in Soledar, just 15 km to the north.
On the 17th (local time), CNN, who visited Bahmut, met Dmitro, a resident near the Bahmutyuka River that divides the area in half, and showed a firm determination that he would not leave his hometown.
Demitro limped on one leg, on crutches, through the streets strewn with shattered glass and twisted metal debris.
Each of his crutches had yellow and blue tapes representing the Ukrainian flag attached to them.
When asked by a reporter why he still remained in Bahmut when a war was raging nearby, Dmitro said, “This is my land.
I’m not leaving.”
In the past few months, Russia has attempted to attack Bahmut, the gateway to Donetsk, but turned its attention to Soledar following failing to achieve any results.
Currently, there is no battle in Bahmut, but there are observations that the Russian army may come down to this place if the Russians completely win Soledar.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, who heads the Wagner Group, a Russian private mercenary group, said it had recently taken control of Soledar.
Ukraine denied this.
Reporters who visited Soledar several times determined that Ukrainian forces were on the defensive, CNN reported.
As a result, there are concerns that the residents remaining in Bahmut may have to evacuate, but CNN reported that the remaining residents are struggling to survive in the west, avoiding the eyes of Russian forces in the northeast of Bahmut.
In Bahmut, you can see locals lining up to get water from a well to receive leftovers from harvesting sunflowers for the stove.
Some vendors set up tables on the few remaining roads leading into Bahmut, selling fish, bread, grilled meats, coffee and tea.
“I can’t afford to leave the city,” a man who identified himself only as “Serhi” told a CNN reporter.
Serhi, who served as a soldier at one time, said that he had to receive a pension from the country, but because the war paralyzed public services, he was unable to receive a pension.
Serhi revealed the difficult situation, saying, “I live like a terrible animal.”
Galina, who met a CNN reporter on her way back from attending a Baptist church service, responded to the reporter’s question, “What did you pray for?” I prayed,” he said.
Some residents have fled to Bahmut to avoid the Russian army from other cities, but they have to worry regarding being attacked by the Russian army once more.
Svyatlana fled from Liman, the northern gateway city of Luhansk province, in the spring of last year and came to Bakhmut, where a friend’s house is located.
Lehman was occupied by Russia for several months before Ukrainian forces succeeded in recapturing it in October of last year.
Svyatlana, who was wandering the streets in a tan sweater and maroon hat, shrugged when asked if she feared that Bahmut would be the next blow if Soledar fell into Russian hands, she shrugged her shoulders.
A Ukrainian soldier, who was preparing to fire at Russian positions from a hill overlooking Bahmut, said, “The situation in Bahmut is difficult.” .
/yunhap news
