Escaping the Brunt of Russian Shelling: A Family's Tale of Survival and Loss
Natalia Pitaichuk bravely relocated her family from Kherson as Russian shelling escalated Tragically, within days of their departure, their cherished home in Beryslav was obliterated by a destructive Russian attack
Natalia Pitaichuk and her four children were forced to leave their family home in the town of Beryslav in Ukraine's Kherson region in mid-October. Shortly after their departure, their house was destroyed by a Russian attack. According to Pitaichuk, if they had not evacuated, they would have lost their lives. She described the experience as if some divine force had urged her to take her children to safety.
The decision to depart was not an easy one. She endured nine months of Russian occupation in the Kherson region, with her house being searched twice and Russian soldiers patrolling the streets, rounding up men fit for combat. Despite the terrifying experience, she remained in the area after the joyous liberation in November 2022, even though vengeful Russian shelling ensued. "It was frightening, but manageable," she remarked. However, in the last month, the situation had become intolerable.
The Beryslav hospital, where she was employed, was targeted by a Russian strike. After the all-clear was given, Pitaichuk remembered the hospital staff gathering in the basement and emerging with dust-covered clothing. Two individuals were injured in the attack. Pitaichuk shared that the hospital and the nearby kindergarten were completely devastated. As a result, she made the decision to flee with her children. Unfortunately, just two days later, their house was also struck.
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Russian forces have intensified their attacks on the western bank of the Dnipro River, where Kherson City and Beryslav are located, since Ukraine regained control of the area a year ago. The spokesperson for the Kherson Region Military Administration, Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, has reported that the Russian assaults are now more severe than ever. He stated that Su-34 and Su-35 planes are regularly bombing and targeting different settlements with guided bombs, which are retrofitted munitions from the Soviet era and have high explosive capabilities. These bombs are released by Russian warplanes outside the reach of air defenses.
In the past week, there have been daily reports of fatalities caused by repeated Russian attacks in the liberated area of Kherson. The intensity of these attacks has significantly increased, with up to 750 shells being fired per day, compared to 300-350 shells a month and a half ago. Tolokonnikov speculates that this escalation could be aimed at obstructing Ukrainian attempts to gain control over the eastern part of the Kherson region, which is currently under Russian occupation.
The majority of the Ukrainian military has primarily focused on the front lines that lead to the Sea of Azov in the Zaporizhzhia region, located to the east of Kherson. However, Ukraine's smaller raids across the river have effectively kept Russian troops occupied, preventing them from being redirected for reinforcements in other areas along the 1,300 km-long frontline.
Analysts believe that if Ukraine is able to establish a firm presence across the Dnipro, it would pose a greater threat to targets in occupied Crimea and put additional pressure on the already stretched Russian logistical routes.
People walk past a building damaged in a recent Russian attack in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, on October 29, 2023.
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Ihor Chornyi, a volunteer with the organization "Strong Because We Are Free," has been helping civilians leave since the area was liberated.
"It's not just mortar or tank shelling anymore. We are now dealing with devastating glide bombs that utterly destroy everything upon impact," Chornyi expressed to CNN. "The loss of innocent lives, including children, is heartbreaking, and entire villages are being completely destroyed, necessitating mandatory evacuations," he added.
In June, the collapse of the Russian-controlled Nova Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River resulted in numerous casualties, obliterated villages, and significantly altered the dynamics of the conflict in the region. The subsequent floodwaters temporarily halted Ukrainian aspirations of crossing the river.
After the water retreated and stabilized, Ukraine wasted no time in intensifying its efforts. In mid-October, a daring Ukrainian operation successfully infiltrated the occupied villages on the eastern bank of the river.
"The Russians on the left bank appear to be deeply concerned about the prospect of our courageous soldiers crossing the river to liberate their territory. They are using this as a way to intimidate both the civilian population and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, sending a clear message that they are prepared to use force and violence to prevent any attempts to reclaim the left bank," Tolokonnikov remarked.
A group of Ukrainian marines sail from the riverbank of Dnipro on the front line near Kherson, Ukraine, on October 14, 2023.
According to local officials, about 300 children and their families have been safely evacuated from 23 settlements in Kherson region since the issuance of mandatory evacuation orders on October 23. However, there are still 497 children waiting for their opportunity to be evacuated.
However, given the recent surge in attacks, even the act of relocating people away from danger has become increasingly perilous. "Evacuation missions have become more hazardous. There have been instances where we have gathered people, begun moving them, and came under fire. Fortunately, we were not hit," Chornyi elaborated.
The family of Pitaichuks has now found respite in the Kirovohrad region of central Ukraine. Having lived for two weeks without the constant threat of shelling in their temporary new abode, the children, ranging in age from 5 to 14, are finally starting to feel safe and at ease.
But still, "whenever they see Ukrainian fighters or helicopters in the sky, the children are frightened and ask if they will be bombed," Pitaichuk said.
