Photographer and volunteer narrowly escape Russian fire in Toretsk
Ukrainian photographer Vlada Liberova and volunteer Denis Khrystoff came under enemy fire in Toretsk, the Liberov family reported in a post and stories on their Instagram page on July 31.
The couple arrived in Toretsk in two groups — Kostiantyn with the military and Vlada with volunteer Denis Khrystoff, who is evacuating people and animals from the frontline areas.
Vlada and Denis came under fire. A bomb fell 150 meters away from them.
Additionally, the Liberovs reported that the main roads of Toretsk are controlled by enemy FPV drones and are being bombarded. Any movement on these roads is a risk. Vlada and Denis took the risk to save people and animals.
"We are hiding from an FPV drone in Toretsk," Vlada said, sheltering with Khrystoff.
"One has already struck a meter away from me, so we decided to wait it out. There were KAB (guided aerial bombs), FPVs, and a lot of 'awaiters'. Hopefully, we will publish this video."
The photographer added that she managed to hide a second before the impact, which occurred a meter away. Khrystoff's driver was nearby in a minibus waiting for them. The man was saved by an electronic warfare device that was functioning.
"Toretsk is total hell right now, friends," the Liberovs said. "The town is being razed to the ground. They don’t care if it’s civilians, evacuation vehicles—they just destroy everything they see."
They managed to evacuate a shepherd dog, five parrots, an old man, an old lady, and two men from Toretsk.
In the caption to their post, the photographers said they had talked to the locals. Among those who stayed in the town, many are “awaiters” who refuse to evacuate. People who are afraid also refuse to leave the frontline settlement, the Liberovs say. Both groups are hiding in basements.
The photographers also described Toretsk as "blackened and smelling of death, with dead birds and animal remains scattered on the empty streets." The dead are buried in the yards of their own homes.
"Our military is holding the city, but it is coming at a great cost," added the Liberovs.
"In Ukraine, the word ‘hell’ has long lost its sacred meaning: mythical hell is not scary when you have seen the real one with your own eyes so many times."
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