Russian Bombardment Empties Slovyansk as Fewer Than 10% of 200,000 Residents Remain
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 10
Russian Bombardment Empties Slovyansk as Fewer Than 10% of 200,000 Residents Remain
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 10
Summary
A dozen civilians gathered at a central evacuation point in Slovyansk as Russian drones, missiles and glide bombs kept the eastern Ukrainian city under near-constant attack.
Less than 10% of Slovyansk's prewar population of more than 200,000 remains, with local coordinators saying conditions have worsened sharply in recent months and families with children already ordered out.
Russian strikes have wrecked schools, homes and roads, while first-person-view drones and glide bombs have made driving hazardous and pushed residents to flee with what they can carry.
Slovyansk is one of four cities in Ukraine's Donetsk 'fortress belt', a defensive line central to revived Abu Dhabi peace talks that Kyiv fears would open the way for further Russian advances if ceded.
Russia already controls nearly 90% of the Donbas, but Ukrainian commanders say dense drone warfare has stalled movement by both sides even as the city is being hollowed out.