The first evacuees from Donbass arrived in the Rostov-on-Don region, a region in southern Russia bordering Ukraine. Faced with the influx of women and children from separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, a state of emergency has been declared there. There is a strange atmosphere there, between school vacationers and a pre-conflict atmosphere.
In the setting sun on the banks of the Don, many walkers are present. Airports, restaurants and hotels are packed. Many Russians have come to take advantage of the mild climate in the south of the country for these winter holidays.
However, on the 120 km which connect Rostov-sur-le-Don to the first border post with the Donbass, it is a military parade. In half an hour, we can count three convoys of equipment, tanks and troop transports, about fifteen vehicles each time. That’s in the direction of Russia towards the Donbass.
In the other direction, coming from the border post, three to four buses arrive with evacuees, always escorted by police cars with all howling sirens. Each time, these evacuees have their faces closed, but not afraid. Visibly left for a few days barely loaded with a few bags or a simple suitcase.
From Donetsk come some news of the inhabitants who remained. No climate of panic, just vending machines and empty gasoline pumps. The concern relates to the mobilization of all men aged 18 to 55. ” We are very far from wanting to fight and we don’t see why “, last message received by an evacuee this Saturday, February 19, 2022.
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