Myrnohrad on verge of frontline as Russian forces advance

She shared this update live on Espreso TV.

"It’s now extremely dangerous to stay overnight in Myrnohrad. Last night was also loud in Pokrovsk. As of yesterday, about 16,000 people remain in Myrnohrad, including around 700 children. Before the full-scale invasion, the population was 47,000. At the beginning of August, there were still 2,500 children in the city," Biryukova explained.

She highlighted that people are actively fleeing Myrnohrad as the city faces significant destruction.

"Myrnohrad is already very noisy, and it's not safe here anymore. Critical infrastructure is still operational. Authorities are still present, but as of today, there’s a ban on all shops and public transport operations. Hospitals are being evacuated, with only a handful of doctors staying behind to provide first aid for injuries, along with a limited number of utility workers," Biryukova added.

She also pointed out that as of yesterday, Myrnohrad is just 6 kilometers from the front line.

"Explosions have been heard in the Donetsk region for a long time, but artillery shelling is a whole different experience. The city looks as though all the green grass and trees have turned white because construction debris from explosions is settling on them from every damaged house," Biryukova emphasized.

• The local authorities in Myrnohrad, Donetsk region, have decided to evacuate city institutions and businesses, as well as shut down shops and markets.
• A new curfew took effect on August 19 in two front-line cities in the Donetsk region — Myrnohrad and Selydove.