Attacks in Ukraine’s Vuhledar increased since Jan. 24, says resident

By Davit Kachkachishvili and Burc Eruygur

DONETSK, Ukraine / ISTANBUL (AA) – Attacks in the city of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region have increased since Jan. 24, according to a city local.

"The situation is heavy here. They (Russia) are attacking the city. Missiles are flying. They (Russia) are opening fire on us. Since Jan. 24, the attacks have started to increase. I remember this well because Jan. 27 was my birthday," Bohdan, a 43-year-old man who shared only his first name, told Anadolu.

The Vuhledar resident said they are trying to survive in a dangerous environment under very difficult conditions, as the conflict between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the area have been going on for the past year.

Bohdan said he is staying in a warehouse under an apartment building for shelter, adding that he sent his family to a safe area a while ago.

"We stay in the shelter. We are warmed by stoves. Attacks happen frequently. How can we live at home? You can see that when there is an attack, there is a fire in the house," he said.

Separately, a soldier in the city, who goes by the codename Zver, told Anadolu that the city is under the control of the Ukrainian army and that it "will remain so in the future."

He said there is only a few meters between the Russian positions and the Ukrainian soldiers. "Even now, there is only 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the positions of the enemy from where we are."

Volodymyr, a soldier from the same brigade with Zver who also shared only his first name, said the civilian infrastructure in the city was severely damaged due to the intense attacks and reiterated that Vuhledar is under the control of Ukrainian forces.

Almost 12 months have passed since Russia declared its "special military operation" in Ukraine, which resulted in the death of at least 7,199 civilians and 11,756 injuries, according to the latest UN figures.