The testimony of 27-year-old Victoria, who managed to flee Mariupol, Ukraine, is chilling.
The young girl spoke to the BBC and described how she left her family behind by taking refuge in a village 20 kilometres away. In a shaky voice, the 27-year-old from Ukraine said: "My town has been flattened" and adds about the constant shelling:
"Civilians are going to basements and shelters but they are not safe. The shelling is so heavy that it is also destroying the shelters."
She confirms that the city has been left without water and food. "Three children died of dehydration. In the 21st century children are dying of dehydration in my city and starving."
She also says that no one could help her family members to leave the city and is looking for ways to do it herself.
"I will stay in Ukraine and try to save my family in Mariupol."
"I will stay in Ukraine and try to save my family in Mariupol. Mariupol is my life and I don't understand why I had to leave it as well as my country because Russia wants me to."
"Hard to stay optimistic"
An Oxford University lecturer who has family in Mariupol told the BBC that he has not been able to speak to his family since 28 February.
"Five members of my family are in Mariupol," says Dr Vlad Mikhenko."
"Five members of my family are in Mariupol," says Dr Vlad Mikhenko. "They have been in underground shelters for days and I don't know what has happened since then. It is very difficult to hear stories from there. It's hard to remain optimistic."
He says he believes Mariupol is putting up strong resistance to Russian forces because "the army has been planning to defend the city for eight years."
Mariupol has long been a strategic port on the Sea of Azov, part of the Black Sea. Dr. Mikhenko insists that he does not believe that Ukraine will surrender the city.
"I am convinced that the Ukrainian army will not give up," he stresses."
Source.gr
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