In Avdiivka the occupiers left a sign on ruins saying "Russian world saved Donbas." Such "resque" led to the destruction of the city and the death of many residents. However, Russian journalists are now filming reports on the partial "restoration" of the settlement and interviewing locals to capture the joy of "liberation" in their stories.
The journalist from TRIBUN analyzed the situation in the city, the conditions in which the residents of Avdiivka live, learned what locals are saying in interviews, and how Russian forces "saved" Avdiivka.
Russians about Avdiivka: "Everything will be rebuilt and will be good."
Russian war correspondent Mariana Naumova, in a report dated April 17, 2024, about Avdiivka, stated that "there is intense work going on to clear debris and restore utility networks." The city now has communication from the occupation mobile operator "Phoenix" and even 4G internet.
Chelyabinsk Oblast has taken over sponsorship of the occupied Avdiivka. This is one of the well-known Russian practices after the occupation of populated areas. The journalist confidently asserts the rapid restoration of the city, saying, "Chelyabinsk residents do not throw words to the wind."
Meanwhile, the buildings remain solid ruins, many of which are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to restore. Russian forces are engaged in other activities. They have decided to erect a monument to "soldiers of the Red Army."
Currently, Russian propaganda efforts in Avdiivka are considered more of a priority than assisting residents with everyday matters.
What do locals say in interviews about life under occupation?
Before the full-scale invasion, Avdiivka was home to approximately 30,000 people. However, after the occupation on February 17, 2024, only about a thousand residents remained in the city, as reported by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. Occupiers are bringing humanitarian aid to the destroyed settlement and have also mandated locals to obtain Russian passports.
On April 27, 2024, the occupation authorities announced that "almost all local residents have already received Russian passports."
In an interview with a Russian journalist, residents of Avdiivka talked about the current situation in the city, how they lived under shelling, how they independently clean up the city, and partially clear the debris. When asked provocative questions, they responded without mentioning Ukrainian or Russian forces, and did not express a clear position.
For example, Yuriy Vilkov, in response to the correspondent's words about rebuilding the city, said: "What to rebuild? Do you see that (points to the ruins)? It all needs to be demolished. When that will happen (referring to reconstruction), I won't live to see it."
Resident Tetiana also did not express gratitude for the "resque" in her comment. She only mentioned that she did not leave the city because all her relatives stayed here, and now she is participating in cleaning up the area.
She also shared her grief - her nephew was killed during a rocket shelling. She had to bury him in the backyard because there was no other option. In the future, she plans to re-bury him. This procedure will also be done with other residents who died during the fighting. According to Tetiana, many locals were killed.
"The Russian world saved Donbass" on the ruins of Avdiivka
This inscription clearly demonstrates what actually happens to the cities where the "Russian world" comes. Occupiers everywhere talk about the "saved" Avdiivka, but photos of the city after Russian shelling from various types of weapons, aerial bombs, constant assaults, are evidence to the contrary - how everything has been destroyed, including life in it.
The state of Avdiivka before and after the invasion of Russian forces can be clearly traced in satellite images from "Donbass.Realities."
Similarly, it's worth recalling the archival photos of the city, depicting a bustling life and the absence of irreparable consequences of war.
Footage from the special crew of the National Police "White Angels," who were involved in evacuating civilians during the fighting in the city, also contradicts the Russian propagandist message about "resque”
Due to powerful and intense shelling, residents were forced to evacuate, and even this process took place amidst explosions.
From this so-called "rescue," people were dying and sustaining injuries of various degrees of severity. The police special unit helped evacuate the injured locals, but the occupiers obstructed this.
For instance, on January 12, 2024, during the rescue operation by the "White Angels" to evacuate severely wounded women from Avdiivka, Russian forces nearby targeted the evacuation vehicle with a drone and held it at gunpoint.
So, Avdiivka is not an exception in the creation of fakes regarding "rescue," "recovery," and "reconstruction." However, all of them are refuted by real photos, videos, facts, and testimonies of locals and people who carried out rescue operations during intense battles.
