In this city, not a single high-rise building retains its intact windows. Private houses, too, have suffered significantly, but coping with the challenges in smaller residences is much more feasible. Residents can secure windows, utilise the stoves for heating, and fetch water from wells. Despite enduring daily shelling, locals are reluctant to leave their city. Around six thousand people continue to inhabit the frontline town of Toretsk and the neighboring settlements.
In this challenging environment, no one would venture to call this a complete and thriving life. The only remnants of civilization are intermittent connections and electricity. These, too, vanish occasionally following the shelling. The majority of shops are shuttered, public transport is at a standstill, and alcohol is nowhere to be found. Rumour has it that, if absolutely necessary, a bottle of kagor fortified wine can be acquired through a discreet channel involving a local priest with ties to the patriarchate – a piece of information kept strictly confidential.
The cheerful laughter of children no longer echoes through the streets of Toretsk. Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the majority of parents opted to relocate their little ones away from the horrors of war. Those who chose not to evacuate were compelled to adhere to the persistent directives of the authorities. It doesn’t qualify as a deserted town, either. Administrative bodies, public services, law enforcement, medical professionals, and firefighters remain operational. Ultimately, Ukrainian soldiers have been entrenched here since 2014, steadfastly defending the area. Consequently, Toretsk has transformed into yet another stronghold, thwarting the enemy’s advances and causing considerable dismay.
The daily bombardments serve as stark confirmation of the ongoing turmoil. While military installations were the primary focus in the past, the current Russian strategy deliberately targets civilian populations. The repeated strikes with guided aerial bombs (KAB) on residential structures and hospitals bear little resemblance to random attacks. Notably, the city faced considerable devastation during the recent New Year’s holidays, with the Russian occupation forces callously obliterating nearly an entire neighbourhood inhabited by a significant number of people.
