Life in Frontline Settlements: Evacuation as a Vital Necessity
Constant shelling of critical infrastructure has turned life in frontline settlements into a daily struggle for survival. Power and heating outages are no longer temporary disruptions – they have become a permanent reality.
Roman Buhaiov, an evacuation specialist at East SOS, spoke about the situation in frontline communities of the Donetsk region in an interview with the online outlet Tochka Skhodu.
According to him, the most critical conditions are observed within a 20-kilometer zone from the frontline. Parts of Druzhkivka and Lyman have been without electricity and heating for weeks, which during winter poses a direct threat to life. Some settlements are gradually turning into “ghost towns.”
The situation is especially difficult for people with limited mobility. As part of the information campaign “Queue of Life,” East SOS publishes data on people who have applied for evacuation via the hotline but are forced to wait due to a lack of available resettlement options. Currently, nearly 50 people remain on the waiting list.
Roman Buhaiov emphasizes that evacuating people with limited mobility requires a comprehensive approach. East SOS crews evacuate people from dangerous areas and accompany them to temporary shelters. At the next stage, psychologists, social workers, and legal specialists join the process — helping to restore lost documents and support people throughout their resettlement and adaptation.
Evacuation from the Donetsk region remains extremely challenging due to active hostilities, harsh weather conditions, and limited access to reliable information. The enemy regularly targets critical infrastructure, humanitarian missions, and civilian transport. At the same time, russia spreads disinformation about the alleged lack of assistance after evacuation, discouraging people from leaving even in life-threatening circumstances.
“We do not provide humanitarian aid within the 20-kilometer frontline zone. Our support begins after evacuation, including assistance in temporary accommodation,” explains Roman Buhaiov. “Regular aid delivery to frontline settlements can create a false sense of security. When shelling intensifies and access to communities becomes impossible, people are suddenly left without essential resources.”
Watch the full interview with Roman Buhaiov via the link.
Residents of the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions can request evacuation by calling the Call Center from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM at 0 800 332 614
We also provide consultations via messengers:
Viber: +38 (099) 710 48 72
Telegram: +38 (096) 108 60 48
Photo: Patryck Jarach, Charles-Frédéric Ouellet, Yevhen Vasyliev, East SOS archive.
Recently, we shared how East SOS provides psychosocial and legal support to evacuees.
