Ukrainians in frontline cities feel brunt of Russia’s invasion

Under orders from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s forces are rushing to fortify their defence lines. They claim to be holding on but Russia is pounding them with devastating glide bombs, missiles and heavy artillery to try to punch its way through.

Just 30km north-west of Avdiivka, Myrnohrad is in their crosshairs. So are the nearby frontline cities of Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk and Slovyansk, all of which are coming under heavy and steady Russian attacks, leaving locals few options but to flee.

Of Myrnohrad’s pre-war population of 47,000, only about half remain. The same is true of every other city and town in the region — more than 1mn people have fled since 2022, according to regional authorities.

That trend is sure to continue as Russian forces outgun and outnumber Ukrainian soldiers who are struggling to hold the line.

“Unfortunately, the enemy greatly outnumbers us,” said Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the “Achilles” drone battalion. While he was speaking, live drone footage showed Russian forces on the move. “For every one of our artillery fires, the enemy fires five, six, sometimes seven shells,” he added.

Russia’s presence was felt in the city, which counted 80,000 residents before 2022. Dozens of buildings and most recently the city’s train station have been destroyed by missiles.

It is the second time that Kostyantynivka has been in the direct path of Russian troops, having been occupied for almost three months in 2014.

A local petrol…   station advised customers and employees to spend as little time as possible on its site “in connection with the increased level of danger . . . associated with rocket and artillery fire”.

In other cities close to the front, especially those serving as logistical hubs, residents have come under heavy bombardments since the start of the year. Many spend nights underground, in basements or bomb shelters.

Besides the constant shelling, people suffer severe shortages of food and medicines. Visiting a doctor is difficult, as clinics and hospitals are packed with wounded soldiers. Nearly every resident interviewed by the FT mentioned the heavy psychological toll the war had taken on their communities.