BAKHMUT, Ukraine – Shellfire echoed on Saturday around the near-deserted streets of the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, current focus of the most intense fighting in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite Moscow’s declaration of a ceasefire for Eastern Orthodox Christmas.
Sparkling clear skies and a dusting of snow belied the devastation of a city abandoned by most of its pre-war population of 70,000, where humanitarian volunteers now risk their lives to support those who stayed.
“Dear God, our town used to be so beautiful,” said 75-year-old Olha, smartly dressed and wearing lipstick as she carried shopping bags along the street.
“There were roses everywhere, flowers,” she added, hardly flinching at the sound of a distant boom. “It was clean, everything was kept in order.”
Moscow said on Saturday its forces in Ukraine would maintain a 36-hour ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin until midnight, despite Ukraine rejecting the offer.
It said its troops had only returned artillery fire when fired upon by Ukrainian forces; Reuters was not able to ascertain the origin of the shells heard in Bakhmut.
“The ceasefire, you know how that works?“ said 30-year-old humanitarian volunteer Vasyl Liesin.
“When Putin says there’s a ceasefire, it’s actually the other way round: there’s no ceasefire. They shelled us a lot yesterday. During the night, it was more or less calm. But that’s how it usually is: one day there’s shelling, the next day it’s calmer.”
A drive around Bakhmut, which sits on the front line bisecting Ukraine’s Doentsk province, reveals the scars of months of bombardment, from smashed storefronts to mangled workshops and wrecked businesses.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest For Top Stories News Click Here
