The remaining. Confession of Ukrainians who refuse to leave the cities and towns destroyed by the war

In the fourth year of the war in Ukraine, even in almost completely destroyed cities, residents remain who do not want to leave their homes for the sake of safer places. Someone simply does not have the opportunity to leave, someone does not dare to leave their home, and someone from the principle. The Insider talked with the inhabitants of the destroyed cities about what it was like to survive in a city from which there was practically nothing left.

Content

• “And the roofs chopped off, and the rockets were lying around the gardens. But no one left "

• "Friends returned and undermined on mines"

• "Nobody wanted to help with the funeral of her husband under shelling"

• “Liman before the war was a calm city, green. And now there is no estuary "

• "I am small, thin, do not get into me"

• "The military arrives and leave, and grandmothers are always in place"

• "Kramatorsk now is the city of old people and the military"

• "People are not tired of the war, but are used to it"

• “Now nowhere is it safe. So it’s better to stay among your own "

• "People leave and throw pets, and I take care of them here"

• "I have already lost the house twice, this time I will not give it away"

• "When I left Bakhmut, I understood that I was seeing the city for the last time"

Available in English

“And the roofs chopped off, and the rockets were lying around the gardens. But no one left "

Valentina, Pancrean village, Kharkov region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

The Russian military entered our village already on the first day - February 24th. Until the last, we did not believe that something would happen until they started shooting. It seemed that the katsaps climbed endlessly, like beetles. It is impossible to convey this nightmare.

Through other villages, the invaders passed and rode on, and they stayed with us. The planes constantly flew - right above the huts, from morning to evening. There were cases when people came who were not considered anything at all, shot pensioners in houses. But we have not gotten away.

There were many arrivals. And the roofs destroyed, and the rockets were lying around the gardens. But from the very beginning, no one left. All local, all old -timers, hardened grandmothers - both wars and hunger passed.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

And then we were freed. The sappers came in, dismantled everything, cleared the fields. Farmers were worried that they could not sow them, so the guys tried, worked.

Now in the village there were five grandmothers at 85-86 years old and two families with children. Neither the store nor a pharmacy. The nearest pharmacy in Bugaevka is 15 km from here. It seems to be promised to organize a bus in raisins, there you can even go to the hospital. But you have to get there, and it’s scary to go.

We are not going to leave anywhere. My grandmother is old here. Where will I take her? Local volunteers bring us humanitarian once a day, give bread for free. So far we are not suffering for products. We pray for the world to come.

"Friends returned and undermined on mines"

Roman and Julia, Izyum, Kharkov region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

Why are we still staying? The main reason is that there is no earnings in other cities that may be safer. Here we have housing and a small income from our business. We have a children's clothing store. It will be difficult to start in another city.

In 2022 it was hard. We did not understand what was happening at all. And then, when the first planes began to fly, it became terribly: you are standing, and nearby got to school, there is smoke. We then left for our own peril and risk. I remember that rescuers stopped us away and said: “If you leave, you will leave. No, it means everything. ”

When they left, they took only documents and heater with them. In financial terms, I <Roman - The Insider> was like a homeless person - there were five thousand hryvnias on the card and that’s it. There was no work, from March to June they lived with this money. But we were able to feed ourselves. They found a house in the village, planted a garden. They raised a crop there, then brought it to raisins. The year was productive. It’s hard to engage in economy, but it helped not to sink-someone is drunk, someone is going crazy.

We helped the church, and she - to us. We still keep in touch with the pastor. When on February 4 in Raisins there was an arrival, he called, was interested in how we were. He showed us that if there is faith, then everything will be fine.

Returning to raisins was the only option for us-because of the store. In general, the business in the city was seriously injured. He who could not take out the goods, and this is 70 percent, they simply remained with nothing. The shops were plundered, we left alone empty shelves - everything was broken. And this was our life, which we built for 25 years. Now we are restoring everything.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

Returning to raisins was the only option for us-because of business

The city needs to be developed, and for this there should be young people. But not everyone wants to return - all the more so since it is still very dangerous here. 90 percent of those who left, most likely, will not return. Especially if they left with the children. Because there is already bitter experience among friends who were blown up on mines and received injuries when they returned.

Children in raisins have been giving birth to little. Otherwise, there is everything, there is enough work, but it is felt that the war is nearby. The guys come, they tell how hard it is there. But, as they say, we did not start it. Although if raisins are occupied again, then we will leave definitely. Life is more valuable than any things.

We miss the pre -war life. Everything was more or less stable, it was possible to plan something. And now you live - and do not know what will happen tomorrow.

"Nobody wanted to help with the funeral of her husband under shelling"

Vera Ivanovna, Izyum, Kharkov region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

When the war began, I lived in the private sector. The tanks walked straight past our houses: they ride, and on the armor - four military with machine guns on both sides. I’m old woman, I remember such horrors alive. The neighbors were hiding: some on the roof, some on the attic, some in the barn. I remember the tank with number 362 stuck, and the tanker was drunk.

The Russian military did not particularly touch the people of our age. If we saw how we go for water or somewhere else, then we did not pay attention. But there were those who were engaged in nonsense: they climbed the apartments like jackals, stole all junk - jackets, bedding. Some said they did not know where they were sent. They allegedly took to exercises and took here.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

I went to the city for medicines for my husband. Then he died, I had to go to draw up documents. This all happened in the area of ​​Gonchalovka, where there were often arrivals. They told me in the hospital that if you arrive, then it is necessary to cover my face and fall to the ground, under the fence.

Nobody wanted to help with the funeral of her husband under shelling. Some were buried in yards and gardens - but I didn't want to. As a result, assistants were still found - drunks a little. They found a place, dug a hole. There was no coffin - a carpet and a blanket, two layers. I wrapped all this with cut sheets. I did not feel anything special. The man lived nearby 50 years. He died - and the next day I buried him.

The son said: "Leave." And how will I throw the hut, how will I throw everything? I have my own stove, boiler, dishes here. But in the end, we were still evacuated to Kharkov.

Now I have returned to raisins, where else should I go. Here is my house, my cats, my son.

“Liman before the war was a calm city, green. And now there is no estuary "

Faith and love, red estuary, Donetsk region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

Faith (left) and love (right). Photo: Daria Nilova

We have fun here. How something will explode, how it shines, the whole hut shakes. It is impossible to sleep. And cold. At home they stand without windows, without doors, without a roof. We drown the stove and sit on it, the back is warming. We are waiting for at least a little warmer and this war will end.

Every time this happens: arrival, windows-shifted, slate from the roofs. No one is repairing anything, because then he will fly again and will have to redo it again. We call workers so that we just have holes are closed.

There are very few inhabitants left for us, 10 percent, and then there are only old people. I do not let me go abroad <love - The Insider - there is no Ukrainian passport, only a residence permit. The old passport was Russian, but here I did not manage to draw up documents before the war. I have two sons in Russia, one recently died. When the war ends, I would like to see the youngest and go to the older grave.

We communicate very rarely, there is no phone, there is no money, there is no pension. We live on a humanitarian. Humanitarian is given once a month, but we no longer need. Look at us, we don’t need a lot - soup, boards and porridge. The phone is one for two. We learn the news from people. We pray for our soldiers.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

We are waiting for the war to end. What can we do in our years? We will not go to fight, we can only pray to God. It's a shame that so many people died, only deaths. On our street, the rocket hit the house - seven people died. I want the bloodshed to end.

Liman before the war was a calm city, green. And now there is no estuary.

"I am small, thin, do not get into me"

Natalia, Druzhkovka, Donetsk region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

I'm not going to leave anywhere. There is no health and a pension of 3 thousand hryvnias. And the cheapest apartment in the west of Ukraine costs 7 thousand. Yes, and if you leave, then the house will be surrounded. Some walls will remain.

About the life of the front line, I always tell my friends like this: "I'm small, thin, they don’t get into me." Almost every day we call back with a friend from Sumy: “How are you? We have two more kilometers to the front, we live. ” I say: "We even further, Konstantin Arkadievich, live."

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

About the life of the front line, I always tell my friends like this: “I am small, thin, they don’t get into me”

I myself, with the part of the Sumy region occupied by the Russians, my husband transported to Druzhkovka. Refugees live in my house, since the beginning of the war, I said that I would accept them. There is a lot of places, at night I feel bad, help. Not lonely. I help everyone who comes to us, and our military, but how else?

"The military arrives and leave, and grandmothers are always in place"

Tatyana, Druzhkovka, Donetsk region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

I have a father in Kramatorsk, but I can’t take it like that and go there. An apartment remained from my grandmother in Druzhkovka, it is more calmer here, so in November last year we moved here. I have three children - everything is on my neck. I receive payments, there is a little money, the ex -husband does not help very much, and I do not want to hang care for them, he is no young. My current guy is a military man, I don’t read the news, but I listen to him. If he says that Druzhkovka is safer, then we will stay here so far.

I live alone in my entrance, in the other - two grandmothers. The military arrives and leave, and grandmothers are always in place. And where will they go? Be what will happen. My dad also remains in Kramatorsk, although there was already an arrival in our house.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

We are not going to go anywhere further, there is an apartment here, family, I have three children, a military guy, an eldest son is studying online already. I'm waiting for the cities to be restored. This is the most important. We will survive the rest. While there is an apartment, we can live here.

"Kramatorsk now is the city of old people and the military"

Valery, Kramatorsk, Donetsk region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

I left Kramatorsk in March 2022, but returned in December. I was well accepted in the West, did not pay for housing, but this is still someone else's house. It’s calmer, more comfortable psychologically. Elives are scary, everything is compressed inside, I'm not Superman. But I'm not running anywhere, it will not save.

Kramatorsk now is the city of old people and the military. There are young people, but it is not enough. We do not leave, because we cannot afford to rent housing, and in free it is not as comfortable as at home. My sons I have sappers, now in the fields they work in de -Ukrainian territories. I am not worried about them. For yourself and even more so.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

It was scary when the war in 2022 passed to another phase, but since 2014 I have been living with the understanding that Russia would fall apart. I read the economist Milov, he writes that in the highest bureaucratic apparatus in Russia they talk about the crisis.

I am already a pensioner, but I have a lesson. I preach - in my own in two other communities. Pensioners from our community come to me, I feel responsible to them. Glad to everyone who returns.

Everyone asks me: "When will it all end?" I answer: “I just know what will end. Stalin, too, seemed to be forever ruled, but died in the urine. ”

"People are not tired of the war, but are used to it"

Sergey, Chernigov

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

I was sure that the Russians would not go to Chernigov. When the city began to be surrounded, the locals ran to Kyiv, and shot all peaceful on the roads. I remember that a young mother rode with a baby and daughter, so only my daughter was alive.

They shot at our houses from tanks. The locals later captured the tanker - they defended their homes.

My brother lives in Germany, I would like to go to him, but now he can’t leave, and in the west of Ukraine is not safer than here. In Kyiv, it arrives most. More often, probably, only in Kharkov.

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

People are not tired of the war, but got used to it. Arrived, rebuilt. People live one day, alive and thank God, what will happen tomorrow - we do not know.

If we freeze the conflict now, then Russia will then attack again. We survived in 2022, they underestimated us. Yes, we are shelling, but we will not give our lands. In 2015, I was in the ATO, if necessary, I will defend the country in 2025 and in 2030.

“Now nowhere is it safe. So it’s better to stay among your own "

Kremenchug, Poltava region

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

Tamerlan, 21 years (left) and Roma, 17 years (right). Photo: Daria Nilova

Why do we need to leave somewhere? We had everything here - work and life. Now nowhere is it safe. Doesn't it fly to Lviv? Flies. So it’s better to stay here, among your own. In our establishment of the "buffet" cafe, it was completely destroyed during the shelling on June 6 - The Insider> was a cool green zone, a large kitchen and a bar, a bunch of holidays were arranged.

At the beginning of the war, we fed refugees for free. People should somehow live. Locals loved our place and supported in difficult times. Yes, we now have strong shelling, the cafe is completely destroyed, but we are doing everything to find a new room and open in September. Many people offered us help. How can we let them down? It is very important to continue to live. People need hope.

"People leave and throw pets, and I take care of them here"

Irina, Poltava

A special unit of the Ukrainian police, which is engaged in the evacuation of civilians from the regions affected by the war.

Where should I go? I have no one. All that remains is a medal for conscientious work. The son died of Covid five years ago. There is no one to even bury me. I have lived in this house for 47 years, even now, when half is destroyed, I still stay here. I look after the cats.

After arriving at my house, I had to do the operation in front of my eyes. Then I was covered with dust and fragments, I became almost blind. If not for the operation, then it would be completely blind. The doctor asked who could look after me while I was being treated - I said there was no one. Он тогда пошел по соседям спрашивать, правда ли я так одинока — один сказал, что у меня тут все котики района под присмотром. В больнице меня потом называли «королевой котиков». В общем, ради них и живу. Если не я, то кто им поможет?

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

Никому нет дела до животных, люди уезжают и бросают питомцев, а я здесь за ними ухаживаю. Никуда не собираюсь. Сначала почти вся пенсия уходила на корм котикам, но теперь волонтеры помогают с ним.

На моих глазах в этом доме создавались семьи, рождались дети, внуки, правнуки, заселялись новые жильцы, умирали старые. А потом прилет — и столько смертей в одну ночь. It was a nightmare. Никогда не думала, что увижу такое своими глазами. Даже не знаю, от чего я едва не ослепла — от осколков и пыли, или от того, что увидела столько боли в ту ночь. Никому не пожелаю такого.

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

Даже не знаю, от чего я едва не ослепла, — от осколков и пыли, или от того, что увидела столько боли в ту ночь

Я украинка, Украина — это моя страна, Полтава — мой город, а этот дом — мой. Я никому его не отдам, только через мой труп.

«Я уже дважды терял дом, в этот раз я его не отдам»

Виталий, Полтава

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

Я дважды терял дом: сначала в Луганске, потом в Покровске — в этот раз я п*дорам <россиянам — The Insider> его не отдам. Сказал семье, что если они хотят, пусть уезжают, а я останусь тут. Я этот дом своими руками по доске собирал. Да, я не совсем согласен с нашим правительством, да, мне не нравится Зеленский, но россиян я ненавижу сильнее.

У нас был прилет недалеко от дома, буквально метрах в 60. Ударная волна была такая, что напрочь снесло все окна у меня и у соседей. Мы даже дышать не могли, так вокруг воняло гарью. Ну ничего, всё отстроили. Они говорят, что стреляют по военным объектам… Мой гараж с машиной 90-х годов не очень похож на военный объект, знаете ли.

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

Россияне говорят, что стреляют по военным объектам... Мой гараж с машиной 90-х годов не очень похож на военный объект

Семья после того прилета всё же переехала на запад, а я остался. Помог им отвезти вещи и сразу же вернулся. Не дай боже мой дом достанется русским. В третий раз я не позволю это. Я бы хотел и дом в Покровске отстроить, каждый день жалею, что уехал оттуда. Головой понимаю, что было слишком опасно, дом сравняли с землей, но сердце болит за него. У меня там всё было. Особенно любил свой сад с вишнями — мы там собирались всей семьей, я с внуками играл. Теперь новый дом в Полтаве, но на этот раз навсегда. Я уже отсюда не уеду.

«Когда я уезжал из Бахмута, то понимал, что вижу город в последний раз»

Антон, Донецкая область, Дружковка

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

С 2022 года я работаю в экипаже «Белого ангела» в Донецкой области. Bakhmut direction. Занимаемся эвакуацией семей с детьми.

Многие рассказывают, что им некуда выезжать, хотя у нас всегда были варианты для них. Мы и бесплатно расселяем — предоставляем дома и общежития. Говорят, что это их дом, они здесь родились. Работать сложно, очень много раненых при обстрелах, многие погибают. Оказываем медпомощь, как можем.

Насильно никого не эвакуируют. Таких случаев не было. Если человеку нужна помощь, мы всегда реагируем. Приезжаем, забираем их и вывозим, куда они скажут. Самое трудное — это уговорить человека покинуть свой дом, место, где он родился и прожил всю жизнь.

В основном мы сейчас работаем с семьями — с детьми и без. Ведем с ними профилактические беседы, призываем их к эвакуации, потому что это спасает жизнь. Было, наверное, семей пять, с которыми было очень тяжело работать. Они говорили, что уедут, только когда к ним прилетит. А потом целыми семьями и погибали при обстрелах. Очень жаль этих людей. Но мы старались и уговаривали. В любом случае, за всеми просто не уследишь.

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.

Некоторые говорили, что уедут, только когда к ним прилетит. А потом целыми семьями погибали при обстрелах

Иногда эвакуированные возвращались обратно, несмотря на обстрелы. В одной такой семье недавно убило снарядом девушку. У нее остались сын и пожилая мать, которая тогда и настояла на возвращении. После смерти дочки она сказала, что «всё поняла». Ребенок не пострадал, и в итоге эвакуационная группа их той же ночью вывезла из разрушенного дома.

У некоторых «Белый ангел» ассоциируется с российской пропагандой, которая рассказывает, что мы сдаем вывезенных детей на органы. Люди реально верили в это. Прятались от нас по подвалам. Некоторые даже истерику устраивали, или спектакли целые: ребенку шесть лет, а он уже рассуждает, что родился здесь и будет оставаться до конца. Понятно, что это всё слова родителей. Бывали случаи, когда мы приезжали, разговаривали с родителями об эвакуации, а ребенок стоял сзади и показывал нам, что не хочет здесь находиться, ему страшно. Они боятся такое говорить.

До войны я работал полицейским в Бахмуте, оставался там до ноября 2022 года. Всего прожил восемь лет там. До 2014-го жил в Донецке. Последний раз побывал там летом того года. Когда я уезжал из Бахмута, то понимал, что вижу город в последний раз. Я даже проехал по двору, посмотрел на свои окна, и на этом всё кончилось.

Сейчас я не знаю, где мой дом. Жил в Донецке, потом в Бахмуте, потом в Константиновке, теперь в Дружковке. Донецк в 2014-м был еще целым, поэтому поначалу оставалась надежда вернуться туда, хотя потом и понял, что это невозможно. А Бахмут полностью разрушен, моего дома уже не осталось, возвращаться некуда.

О чем я мечтаю? Провести время с семьей.

Спецподразделение украинской полиции, которое занимается эвакуацией мирных жителей из пострадавших от войны районов.