Destroyed houses, lack of electricity, water, communication, dozens of emaciated pets and people who are very afraid of the return of hostilities. This is what Lyman in Donetsk region looks like immediately after its liberation.
The Russian army captured Lyman at the end of May – it was during this period that the greatest destruction occurred. The city was an important point for the enemy as it served as a supply line. So its release by the Ukrainian army, according to the allies, became an important achievement of Ukraine in the Eastern direction. The offensive in the Luhansk direction continues.
A young mechanic-driver of a captured Russian tank, named “Nastya”, on the way to LymanThe boy shows “class” near his crushed house on the street of the village of Derylové on the way to LymanUkrainian military on mopeds pass through the destroyed column of Russian militaryMunition near the body of a russian soldierKilled russian soldierKilled russian soldierHouse in Lyman. The inhabitants of the destroyed part live in the basement. There is no electricity, communication, or water in the city for six months. In general, the city did not suffer much during the liberation. The battles were around and on the outskirts. The main destruction occurred in the spring during the storming of the city by the Russian army.Tanya hung the Ukrainian flag in the yard as soon as she learned that Lyman had been released. She picked up the flag near Ukrposhta (post office) when the city was captured by the Russians. She was hiding all the time. Russians did not find it during their search.Burnt flag of the russian federation in the central square of the city.A man cooking borscht. Yes, since spring. Locals learned the news only from hearsay.There are many animals left to fend for themselves in the city – cats and dogs. All are thin and hungry.Frying for Ukrainian borscht“Graffiti” from the occupiers can be seen in many places. “LDNR” units were stationed en masse in the city.Ukrainian policeman in the city centerA completely destroyed lyceum in the center of LymanBefore the invasion, this lyceum was renovated with funds from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the support of the Government of Japan. Now it is gone…Ukrainian military on the American M113 on Lyman streetLyman is a major railway junction station. The infrastructure of the station was completely destroyedDasha 6 years. She lived in the basement for a long time. Currently, the girl does not understand the situation. She says she “loved Ukraine before the war”, now she is afraid of its arrival (she still does not understand who is in town). Child.Residents of one of the courtyards warm themselves by the fire and heat water to wash themselves. The main message is “we are afraid of the return of hostilities.”“USSR” graffiti from the occupiersEveryone is trying to stock up on firewood, because the cold is ahead. They did not believe that many volunteers and international aid would soon arrive. This did not happen “under russia”.Dasha is at the door of the basement, where she lived hiding from shelling for many weeks.Prices in a local store with a very poor selection are still in rubles.Local house communities.A local resident helps the Ukrainian police to compile lists of people who have remained in the city.Most of the people left in the city are elderly people who have nowhere to go.The abandoned and broken Russian checkpoint at the entrance to Lyman.Trophy russian vehicle with a “Z” is going for repair.There is a lot of military and equipment in the region.The successful offensive of the Ukrainian army in the Luhansk direction continues.
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Frontliner is an independent interactive media platform reporting on the military conflict and hybrid war between Russia and Ukraine. Our goal is to provide you with a complete picture of what is happening – including the war, the military, civilians, social attitudes, challenges, and positives.
