By Anastasiia Shelukhina, LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager
Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, over 1.2 million people have been forced to flee the embattled, eastern Donetsk Oblast. With three-fifths of the region under Russian military occupation, life for Ukrainians has become increasingly more difficult and dangerous. Over the past two months, Russian forces have advanced at a rapid pace, seizing several eastern Ukrainian towns. Many of those who remain in towns like Pokrovske, Prosiane, and Odradne are elderly, with little access to essentials, medical care, and psychological support. Despite these challenges, residents remain steadfast and resilient, determined to stay in their hometowns.
Last month, LHI’s team conducted a series of aid deliveries to struggling, frontline villages throughout the Donetsk region. LHI Ukraine Partnership Manager, Anastasiia Shelukhina documented her heroic journey in a journal. Her story highlights LHI’s exceptional ability to deliver aid where other organizations can’t, and the importance of hope for those living near the frontlines in Donetsk.
Anastasiia and Oleh, ready to deliver boxes of aid to the Donetsk region.
Day 1: October 7, 2024
Our journey began around 10:30 a.m. as we set off from Kharkiv, determined to reach our aid warehouse in Pokrovske as swiftly as possible. Known as the "western gate of Donbas," Pokrovske is a small town at the edge of the embattled Donetsk region. We traveled in a convoy led by an ambulance, followed by a bus with our five-member team. Among us was also Dr. Vlad, who regularly joins our missions and provides psychological support sessions for those persevering through the dangers of life near the frontlines.
When we arrived in Pokrovske, we met with Alyona Levterova, a representative of the military administration for the Volnovakha district. We discussed our upcoming humanitarian efforts and the challenges of helping the local population prepare for the winter. It felt great to know that we have open channels of communication and that our connections with the local authorities are solidifying.
Meanwhile, Yurii, Oleh and Dr. Vlad prepared a delicious barbeque. We exchanged stories under the rain and went to bed anticipating the productive days ahead.
Anastasiia, Yurii, and Oleh heading into Odradne village.
Day 2: October 8, 2024
At 8 a.m., we hit the road to pick up food kits, hygiene products, and medical supplies at the humanitarian aid warehouses in Pokrovske and Prosiane before heading to Odradne village for distribution. The weather was surprisingly warm and sunny for October, lifting our spirits. At the time, I was unaware of the risk that comes with clear skies.
Before we could leave the Prosiane village warehouse, some local women invited us for a quick coffee and tea. As we sat down, I noticed a laptop open to a guide entitled, "How to React and Act During Chemical Weapons Attacks." The reality of war was right in front of us. And yet, in the same moment, our hosts enthusiastically shared their community initiatives. One woman, beaming with pride, told us they had submitted a song to a local contest. Their ability to continue creating, sharing, and celebrating life in the face of danger left a deep impression on me.
A group of young men from the White Angels—an evacuation and paramedics team from the Donetsk Regional Police—accompanied us to our next location, Odradne village. The White Angels lead humanitarian efforts at the frontlines amidst constant shelling and enemy advances, all without coordination or support from the military. One of the men, just 24 years old, mentioned he had written his resignation letter. With quiet frustration, he said, “They don’t give us anything. We’re on our own for everything.” It was a stark reminder of how the system often fails those on the frontlines, leaving them to navigate war on their own.
Anastasiia with the kind residents of Odradne village.
When we finally arrived at Odradne village, the residents were already gathered and waiting for us. The paramedic-midwifery center in Odradne has been closed since the beginning of the war, and the last time Doctors Without Borders came to the village was in March of this year. With no other options, Dr. Vlad immediately began providing his psycho-emotional support consultations in our local coordinator’s home. For Ukrainians who have chosen to stay in their homes, these sessions are especially important, reminding residents that we’re by their side.
As we began distributing aid, the residents moved like clockwork, quickly forming a human chain to pass down the boxes. We distributed clothes that had come from the U.S., prompting a few jokes about shoes that didn’t quite suit village life. Laughter filled the air as people tried on shiny boots better suited for a night out than the dirt roads of Odradne.
One woman approached me, requesting diapers for her bedridden mother. As we started talking, she mentioned that it hadn’t rained in a long time, the fields were dry, and the sun didn’t bring much joy anymore. Oleh warned me that Russian forces target humanitarian workers more often during sunny weather, turning my enjoyment of the clear skies into quiet dread.
When we arrived at the woman’s house later that day with the diapers, she broke down in tears, explaining how expensive they were and how impossible it was to find them in their isolated village. As a gesture of gratitude, her daughter insisted on giving me several jars of home-canned zucchini and cherries.
Mykhailovych and Yurii with our delicious zucchini.
Our day ended back at the warehouse in Povkrovske, where we finally had a chance to rest. Dr. Vlad cooked a delicious meal of barbecue and buckwheat. We opened one of the gifted jars of zucchini—it was the tastiest zucchini I ever had—and reflected on the day’s events over dinner.
By the end of the first two days, I felt a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. Meeting people who showed such kindness and strength despite the hardships reminded me of the real purpose of our work and why we always return. We had come to bring help, but we left with a deeper sense of hope. Each interaction, warm smile, shared laugh, or small gift fostered a deep sense of community that thrives even in these difficult times. Looking ahead, we were ready for new challenges, knowing that each stop would bring more stories and moments to remember.
Love from eastern Ukraine!