The derelict streets of Bilozerske, once a thriving mining town in eastern Ukraine, paint a poignant picture of a community on the brink of extinction. With only approximately 700 inhabitants remaining from a pre-war population of 16,000, many face the devastating choice between evacuating their homes or remaining at the mercy of escalating Russian assaults.
Known for their white armored police van—affectionately nicknamed 'White Angels'—teams are persistently working to evacuate civilians from frontline areas. Yet, conditions remain perilous; the town's infrastructure crumbles under relentless drone strikes, and the haunting silence often gives way to the faint hum of approaching threats.
The emotional toll of staying or going weighs heavily on those still living in such precarious conditions. A woman, reluctant to abandon her cherished belongings, informs the police of her decision to wait for a future evacuation that could accommodate her possessions as well. Meanwhile, others, like 73-year-old Volodymyr Romaniuk, risk their lives to salvage remnants of their former lives, asserting that at his age, fear has little bearing on his choices.
Beyond the urban decay, families mourn their dead, clinging to memories while grappling with the fervent need to survive. As parents of a fallen soldier, Nadiia and Oleh Moroz face the looming threat of invasion while tending to the grave of their son. The bleak reality of life on the frontline transforms simple choices into agonizing dilemmas, highlighting both the psychological and physical battles faced by those enduring this ongoing conflict.
Despite the dangers of drone surveillance and targeted strikes, many refuse to abandon their homes, driven by an unyielding attachment to their land and memories. In a tragic series of events, an airstrike recently claimed the lives of multiple civilians gathering for essentials, underscoring the harrowing decisions that families must navigate daily.
With pleas from local officials urging evacuations, the haunting refrain of staying or going continues to echo through the shattered remnants of Bilozerske. This harrowing crossroads defines the current state of civilians caught in a war driven by turmoil, loss, and the lingering hope for peace.
