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Residents Of A Liberated Ukrainian Town Live Underground As Russian Forces Slowly Advance

Nearly four months after their liberation, residents of the shattered town of Lyman continue to live underground with no heat or electricity as the sounds of Russian artillery from the front rumble nearby.

Photojournalist Oleh Petrasyuk captured these portraits on January 22 of Ukrainians struggling to survive amid worsening conditions.

Nearly four months after Russian troops left the eastern Donbas town of Lyman, residents like Lyubov are struggling to survive among the ruins in the basements they call home.
1 Nearly four months after Russian troops left the eastern Donbas town of Lyman, residents like Lyubov are struggling to survive among the ruins in the basements they call home.
Up to 90 percent of Lyman's structures are thought to have been destroyed or damaged following the Russian invasion nearly a year ago. 
2 Up to 90 percent of Lyman's structures are thought to have been destroyed or damaged following the Russian invasion nearly a year ago. 
The sounds of artillery are always close by as Russian forces conduct offensives toward Lyman, which is 60 kilometers north of Bakhmut, where some of the fiercest fighting of the war has been taking place.
3 The sounds of artillery are always close by as Russian forces conduct offensives toward Lyman, which is 60 kilometers north of Bakhmut, where some of the fiercest fighting of the war has been taking place.
Standing amid the ruins of her former home, Lyubov was one of those who remained during the Russian occupation. Many of those who did not flee were elderly, poor, or caring for sick relatives.  
4 Standing amid the ruins of her former home, Lyubov was one of those who remained during the Russian occupation. Many of those who did not flee were elderly, poor, or caring for sick relatives.
 
Pictures of Lyubov's family adorn the wall in the basement she calls home. She has lived here for more than 270 days after her apartment on the top floor was destroyed by shelling in April.
5 Pictures of Lyubov's family adorn the wall in the basement she calls home. She has lived here for more than 270 days after her apartment on the top floor was destroyed by shelling in April.
With temperatures hovering around freezing, the government and humanitarian groups have brought in stoves and distributed wood to families. Evelina is among an estimated 700 children living in Lyman. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and four neighbors in this basement.
6 With temperatures hovering around freezing, the government and humanitarian groups have brought in stoves and distributed wood to families. Evelina is among an estimated 700 children living in Lyman. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and four neighbors in this basement.
Evelina stands in the basement chamber that she shares with Leonid (right), who used it as a workshop before the war. The mayor of Lyman, Oleksandr Zhuravlov, reportedly said that 3,000 residents have returned since the town was liberated.
7 Evelina stands in the basement chamber that she shares with Leonid (right), who used it as a workshop before the war. The mayor of Lyman, Oleksandr Zhuravlov, reportedly said that 3,000 residents have returned since the town was liberated.
Evelina with her puppy Umka. "At the moment, we do not recommend people to return here. On the contrary, they're better off in safer places and cities," Zhuravlov said. "There are no comfortable living places here, for now."  
8 Evelina with her puppy Umka.

"At the moment, we do not recommend people to return here. On the contrary, they're better off in safer places and cities," Zhuravlov said. "There are no comfortable living places here, for now."


 
Another resident, Darya, cooks a meal in the basement, which she shares with others near the firewood they need to survive. With no running water or central heating system, conditions can be stressful.
9 Another resident, Darya, cooks a meal in the basement, which she shares with others near the firewood they need to survive. With no running water or central heating system, conditions can be stressful.
Yet the residents try to create a sense of normalcy, such as a smiling Svitlana, pictured with photos of her granddaughter.
10 Yet the residents try to create a sense of normalcy, such as a smiling Svitlana, pictured with photos of her granddaughter.
Volodymyr sits next to the entrance to his apartment building, where he and three neighbors live in the basement. He spends his time chopping the wood that the residents need to stay warm.
11 Volodymyr sits next to the entrance to his apartment building, where he and three neighbors live in the basement. He spends his time chopping the wood that the residents need to stay warm.
Fedir pumps water from a well next to his damaged apartment block. He also lives in the basement with his family.
12 Fedir pumps water from a well next to his damaged apartment block. He also lives in the basement with his family.
Despite the heavy fighting continuing in the Donbas region and the worsening weather conditions, civilians are returning to liberated Ukrainian towns close to the front line -- against the advice of local authorities.
13 Despite the heavy fighting continuing in the Donbas region and the worsening weather conditions, civilians are returning to liberated Ukrainian towns close to the front line -- against the advice of local authorities.
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