Rescuers organized an evacuation operation for residents in Kostiantynivka, a location severely affected by Russian bombardment. The area lacked power, gas, heat, running water, and had limited food or shelter.
Those responsible for evacuation carried lists of individuals who had indicated their readiness to leave. These team members also communicated with remaining residents by calling up to windows and balconies, encouraging those, largely elderly and frail, to leave. They assisted a disabled woman into a van, ensuring she could be evacuated safely.
Evgeny Tkachev, associated with the U.N.-supported group Proliska, described the drive into Kostiantynivka as fraught with danger, akin to playing Russian roulette. The streets were obstructed by rubble and marked by craters, with drones frequently overhead.
At the onset of the war, Kostiantynivka was home to approximately 67,000 people. By January, the population had dwindled to about 2,000. The city faced significant threats due to its status as a strategic location that Ukrainian forces were resolved to defend.