There is little time left to evacuate the Ukrainian -controlled area of Donbass, if the Russian offensive materializes as expected. So far, the Russians have been content with the bombing, which has further frightened the local population.
All other stations in the region have been closed since the massacre in Kramatorsk on April 7, which killed more than fifty people.
Pokrovsk, a bit further to the west, was the last to load trains. How long? This is what those who finally chose to leave say to themselves.
The train is full. Mostly women and children. One family left their home a second time because of shelling too close to their home. They left Sloviansk, but they did not know where they were going.
Another family came from Lyman, a town that had been heavily bombed. Lots of kids in the compartments. Indifferent, they were overjoyed at the impending departure.
Vladimir was the leader of the convoy. He will continue to accompany them to the limits of the possible.
” Now we have 350 passengers, but two weeks ago we had 4, 5, 6,000 a day. There are up to four outgoing trains per day. “
A special convoy for the disabled
Last -minute riders are waiting on a marked bus evacuation of children; they are disabled or handicapped. Three wagons were reserved for them.
The operation is delicate. They are specially equipped for the disabled, with larger corridors and bathrooms. We were stacked there for the moment all wheelchairs.
On the trip, we will ask each passenger where they want to go, who is waiting for them, what their needs are, and help them if they have no accommodation. Doctor Taras was also on boardVladimir explained.
The train will first pass through the Dnipro where it will still pick up passengers; it will pass in the direction of Lviv, then to the Polish border.
Approximately 25% of the population remains in this part of the Donbass. Most are elderly.
Source: Radio-Canada
