As Russia ramps up its pressure on the Donbas, local authorities warn of a spike in violence. On 30 January, Russian forces launched a guided aerial bomb on Dobropillia in Donetsk region, injuring two women and damaging several structures, including an administrative building, a school, and residential blocks.
Nearby in Mykolaivka, a town located just 16 kilometers from the front line, the situation is dire. Out of nearly 16,000 residents before the full-scale invasion, only 4,655 remain.
Daily assaults have left Mykolaivka grappling with widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. According to Volodymyr Proskunin, head of the military administration, Russian forces unleashed eight KAB-250 bombs last week, disrupting pipelines and power grids, which frequently collapse under the sustained bombardment.
Despite the dangers, many civilians are reluctant to leave their homes, fearing they will lose the last thing they have lef. Broken windows are covered with plastic film or wooden boards, buildings are insulated, and people seek shelter in basements during shelling.
