Anadolu Agency captures destruction, empty streets in Ukraine’s Siversk city

By Mustafa Deveci

SIVERSK, Ukraine (AA) - An Anadolu Agency team has captured the destruction in the eastern Ukrainian city of Siversk, which is on the front line of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The Siversk city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region resembles a ruined city. Daily life in the city has come to a standstill as clashes continue, especially between the cities of Bakhmut and Slovyansk, and around Siversk.

When entering Siversk, the cold face of the war and the destruction it brings could be seen. Dozens of buildings are in ruins in the city, which was exposed to attacks by Russian forces.

Some of the buildings heavily damaged in the attacks are unusable. Due to the ongoing clashes, both the damaged roads and buildings could not be repaired.

Siversk is a city with a population of around 13,000. As of today, most of the regions around the city are under the control of Russian forces.

The sounds of cannon shots could be heard from the city center. The majority of the residents have left their homes.

There are no open shops in Siversk and the roads are empty. The residents of the region, who spend most of their day in the shelter, are trying to hold on to life.

Ukrainian aid organizations come to the rescue of the elderly and patients who want to leave the city. These organizations, the vast majority of whose employees are volunteers, evacuate dozens of civilians every day from Siversk and similar frontline settlements.

Despite all the dangers, these volunteers are transporting the elderly and sick people to safer areas in Donetsk.

Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, including hundreds of children, since Russia launched its war on Ukraine on Feb. 24.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar