Luhansk Residents Urged to Evacuate as Shelling Intensifies

Residents of Lysychansk, a city in Luhansk Oblast, were ordered to evacuate as Russian troops surrounded and extensively shelled the city on June 15.

“Evacuation is extremely difficult, because the shelling does not subside,” said Luhansk Gov Serhiy Haidai in a Telegram post.

This footage, recorded by Current Time/RFE/RL, shows two journalists interviewing residents and urging them to evacuate for their own safety. But many could not be convinced to leave and gave their own reasons for choosing to stay.

“I won’t risk taking my children somewhere else. They have had enough,” said a mother as shelling was heard in the background. Credit: Current Time/RFE/RL via Storyful