Popasna in Ukraine is now a “ghost” city after being occupied by Russia

Timesofummah.com – Popasna in Ukraine is now a “ghost” city after being occupied by Russia. Just two months after being captured by Russian forces, the town of Popasna, in eastern Ukraine, once home to some 20,000 residents, has now turned into a ghost town with few signs of life.

Ukrainian troops were forced to withdraw from Popasna in May after Russian troops launched an offensive across much of the eastern side of Ukraine, with intense attacks and shelling around the city in the Luhansk region.

According to Reuters reporters who visited Popasna, the town looked deserted. Almost all apartment buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. The streets looked dry and dusty and there was no sign of people or animals.

One resident, Vladimir Odarchenko, can be seen standing inside his damaged house and observing the debris strewn across the floor.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Where should I live? I don’t know,” he told Reuters. “If the summer is fine, I can rent a small apartment, if I have enough money.”

Russian troops continue to pound eastern Ukraine in an attempt to seize control of the Donbas region. Moscow earlier this month captured Luhansk province, which is part of the Donbas.

The Russian side launched what it called a “special military operation” against Ukraine on February 24. The West considers Moscow’s actions an unwarranted war of aggression.

The conflict has devastated Ukrainian cities and forced 5.2 million people to flee the country, according to the United Nations.