This is a powerful and personal article by Olena Zashko, a Ukrainian videographer, about her hometown’s neighbor city, Pokrovsk. Here are the key points:
**The author’s connection to the city**: Olena grew up visiting Pokrovsk for back-to-school shopping with her family. She has returned to the city multiple times since 2024, documenting its transformation from a bustling market town to a war-torn city.
**Changes in the city**: The first time she returned in 2024, the city was still relatively intact, but by August of that year, Russian forces were closing in, and bombs started falling. By June 2025, when she visited again, the city was mostly destroyed, with people living in basements or abandoned apartments.
**Personal connection to the war**: Olena reflects on how her visits to Pokrovsk have become increasingly disturbing, especially since she has personal connections to the city. She wonders if it’s normal for Ukrainians to worry about not dying during the night due to shelling and glide bombs. Her experiences are deeply personal, making her feel a strong sense of despair.
**Fear for her hometown**: The author concludes by wondering if her own hometown is next in line for destruction. This adds an extra layer of emotional resonance to the article, as it highlights the uncertainty and fear that many Ukrainians face during this ongoing war.
Overall, Olena’s article offers a poignant and immersive look at the impact of war on civilians and cities, highlighting the importance of reporting and documentation in humanizing the conflict.
