1,230 civilians still stay in besieged city of Avdiivka, living in basements

He said this during a telethon.

According to Barabash, on December 15, another 5 people were evacuated from the city. Thus, 1,230 people remain in Avdiivka.

"Of course, this is a lot. Recently we have seen a decrease in the number of people willing to leave. This is not the same as it was, for example, three weeks ago, when 15-18, up to 20 people a day were evacuated. Now, on average, 3-6 people a day are ready to leave. Over 350 people have left in our city during the escalation," said the head of the city's military administration.

According to him, people who stay in the city mostly live in the basements of high-rise buildings or private houses. There are cases when civilians stay in apartments on the first or second floor.

"There are such cases and they are not exceptional. Unfortunately, people are so tired, their fear is so dulled that they don't pay attention to such things, even despite hits and explosions," added Barabash. 

• Earlier, the last civilians were evacuated from the shelter of Avdiivka Coke Plant. They had come to the plant's shelter since the beginning of Russia's invasion in Ukraine and asked for shelter.