KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — As Russian forces continue their campaign to seize control of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk remain critical strongholds for Ukrainian defense. In these urban centers, residents and emergency responders confront relentless bombardments that have transformed daily life into a struggle for survival.
Oleksandr Chyvenkov leads a police paramedic unit that responds to the frequent explosions echoing through Kramatorsk’s dense industrial landscape. His team has adapted to what is known as “double-tap” strikes—initial blasts followed by secondary attacks targeting rescuers and civilians drawn to the scene. Before rushing in to aid the wounded, they wait for confirmation that no further strikes are incoming, donning heavy protective armor under constant threat.
“We grab the most critical cases, stabilize on the move, and get them to hospital as quickly as possible,” said Chyvenkov, who has operated in frontline areas including Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Avdiivka. He described his role as emotionally taxing but essential, emphasizing the need for resilience amid repeated devastation.
Russian forces have not advanced close enough to mount direct infantry assaults on these cities, in part due to the anticipated high casualties such operations would entail. Instead, they have intensified aerial bombardments and rocket attacks, aiming to render the cities uninhabitable. Guided bombs, cluster munitions, and small drones are employed systematically, striking residential buildings, infrastructure, and municipal services.
Despite these conditions, essential services such as electricity, water, healthcare, banking, and communications continue to operate, sustained by workers who often remain amid the shelling. Approximately 60,000 people live in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, with around 93,000 civilians residing in Ukrainian-held portions of the Donbas, including more than 4,200 children, according to local officials.
Authorities have expanded evacuation orders throughout the summer, but departures have slowed as those left are primarily elderly residents, individuals with limited mobility, or personnel maintaining vital utilities. Some choose to stay, acclimating to the persistent violence in hopes of enduring the conflict. However, the dangers persist.
Olha Volodymyrivna, 61, evacuated Sloviansk in early September, citing the psychological toll of constant air raid alarms and drone activity overhead. With her husband disabled, she grew increasingly concerned about the feasibility of escape during sudden attacks. “It was getting worse and worse,” she said, describing the fear provoked by guided bombs, which often strike at night with little warning and can demolish entire apartment buildings.
Emergency responders face direct targeting as well. Firefighter Serhii Chepyga recounted a recent near-miss when his rescue team arrived at an explosion site only to be forced to take shelter from an incoming guided bomb, followed by a barrage of cluster munitions. “We ran as fast as we could,” he said, describing the chaos of scattered debris and repeated sirens. Despite the risks, crews continue their work, relying on camaraderie and hope for survival.
Ukrainian officials characterize these attacks on first responders and infrastructure as a deliberate strategy by Russian forces to erode the functioning safety net within these contested cities. As the conflict endures, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk stand as stark reminders of the human cost embedded in the broader struggle for control over the Donbas region.