With trains no longer running into Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, civilians and soldiers wait at the last station on the western border, seeking refuge from the advancing conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to push forward, while peace negotiations involving the US face skepticism, especially regarding territorial concessions that might be demanded in exchange for peace.
Amidst these dire circumstances, soldier Andrii and his girlfriend Polina find themselves saying goodbye once more, with uncertainty clouding their future. Chatter, just chatter, Andrii remarks dismissively about the ongoing talks, confident that the war won’t end soon.
As Russian forces claim controlling 85% of the Donbas, key towns like Pokrovsk fall under their siege. Survivors vent their weariness; Denys, another soldier, passionately declares, Nobody will give Putin the Donbas. No way, it's our land, combating the despair felt by many as they face an increasingly dire situation.
Civilians are fleeing as daily life becomes fraught with danger, exacerbated by the threat of drones. Families like Yevheniy's, fleeing from Kramatorsk, find themselves doubting peaceful resolutions but await the safety that escape might offer. In contrast, others are more willing to contemplate territorial compromises for peace.
As conversations about giving up their homes for the hope of peace gain traction, different perspectives emerge, with some soldiers feeling they must desert their posts to survive, voicing doubts about Ukraine's chances against a vastly larger opponent.
In the ongoing struggle, the tales of resilience tell a story not only of survival but of the human spirit's capacity to hope—even amid destruction. Each train leaving the station carries away not just people, but pieces of a homeland that many are unprepared to surrender.
