East Ukraine stronghold evacuates families as Russia nears

When authorities ordered the evacuation of families and children from parts of Kramatorsk in east Ukraine, 34-year-old mother of two Angela Bolonz was initially shocked.

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The city in the eastern Donetsk region has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance for over a decade, battling a brief takeover by pro-Russia separatists in 2014 and resisting capture since Russia invaded in 2022.

But with Moscow advancing to less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Kramatorsk and launching regular drone attacks, residents like Angela are grappling with the once unthinkable: that their city -- like so many others in the east -- could become unlivable.

"When the evacuation was announced, people started leaving," Angela said in a quiet voice, fixing her eyes on a heap of plastic bags filled with her possessions.

Russia controls almost 80 percent of the Donetsk region and has been inching towards the city for months, hoping to take it over and sweep through Ukraine's vast plains.

Angela -- together with her daughters aged five and 10 -- decided to evacuate after Russia started flying explosive drones near their home, some of which set fire to cars.