SignalHub:Life under Russian occupation: The low-key mission bringing people to Ukraine

2025-04-28 21:38:53source:Writingstar Investment Guildcategory:News

KRASNOPILLYA -- Six miles from the Russian border,SignalHub we board a bus packed with people from the occupied areas. The young and old are piled in together -- pets fill the floor -- all with stories of life under Russian occupation.

This humanitarian corridor -- reopened weeks ago -- is the only border crossing, taking about 150 people each day from Russia to Ukraine.

A low-key mission is underway to bring Ukrainians back from Russian held territories.Ale Pavone/ABC News

MORE: FDA approves new COVID booster amid rising cases, hospitalizations

Vitaliy Kaporukhin, a volunteer of Ukrainian NGO Pluriton, said more than 9,000 people have crossed there since March.

Most of them traveled for three or four days to reach this point, including 1.5 miles by foot.

Young couple Natalia and Mykyta traveled from Russian-occupied Donetsk for three days with their 6-month-old baby.

Natalia and Mykyta travelled for 3 days from Russian-held Donetsk.Ale Pavone/ABC News

History teacher Mykyta, 23, told us what it has been like living under Russian control.

“It’s really bad. No credit card, no electricity, no freedom of speech. Life under Russian occupation is no life,” Mykta said.

Natalia and Mykyta had an argument with their pro-Russian parents, who they said are “brainwashed” by Russian TV. Natalia told us, “You have no idea what it’s like living with a nazi mother.”

Twenty-year-old Roman traveled from occupied Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region. His trip to Krasnopillya took him two days.

150 people are using this humanitarian corridor each day.Ale Pavone

MORE: New Mexico governor's temporary ban on carrying guns in public meets resistance

“It was really bad” in Berdyansk, the student tells us, saying he was confronted by drunk Russian soldiers who pointed a gun at his forehand.

Roman wants to continue his university studies, "but if I don't get a scholarship, I will go to serve in the Ukrainian Army. I have a friend there.”

Others aren’t sure where they will end up.

‘‘We are here now; that’s the most important thing. Glory to Ukraine,” Mykta said.

More:News

Recommend

Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams

Early Thursday morning, "Forbes" released their annual list of the 50 most valuable sports franchise

This $8.98 Lip Gloss Gives My Pout Next Level-Shine and a Reason to Ditch Expensive Alternatives

We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like

Krispy Kreme releases 'Friends'-themed doughnuts, but some American fans aren't happy

Krispy Kreme wants fans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of iconic '90s sitcom "Friends" with a bra