Witnesses were shocked by the aftermath of a Russian strike on Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine, with blood-stained billboards and thick smoke filling the air.
Anya Alyabieva, a shop owner, described the terrifying moment when the blast disrupted the town’s peace, forcing residents to flee for their lives.
Escaping through windows as the building burned, Alyabieva and others narrowly avoided the deadly consequences of the attack.
The assault on Kostyantynivka, already battered by previous Russian offensives, resulted in 11 fatalities and 44 injuries, according to officials.
Located just 13 kilometers from advancing Russian forces, Kostyantynivka now faces the grim reality of ongoing hostilities.
President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to hold Russia accountable for the terror inflicted on the town, as rescue efforts continued amid the chaos.
Residents frantically searched for missing loved ones amid the rubble, while the wails of those mourning the casualties echoed through the streets.
The ongoing conflict in the area has heightened fears, with air raid sirens and sounds of artillery fire becoming all too familiar to the residents.
The situation remains dire in eastern Ukraine, as Russian troops advance and claim control over strategic locations.
Ukrainian authorities are taking preemptive measures, ordering the evacuation of vulnerable populations to ensure their safety amid the escalating conflict.
For many like Natalia, forced to flee multiple times due to the relentless violence, the uncertainty of the situation is a constant source of fear and despair.
As the world watches the tragedy unfold, the people of Ukraine continue to endure the devastating consequences of the conflict.
AFP.