A City Packs Up / Der Spiegel

August 2024. The Ukrainian army is advancing in Kursk, but retreating in the Donbas. Now, the strategically important city of Pokrovsk must be evacuated. Many people are hastily saying their goodbyes – but not all. Text by Christian Esch

Evacuation at the train station in Pokrovsk

The city of Pokrovsk: Signs of the frontline coming closer

A small agricultural firm evacuating its machines

The owner of a fitness club packing up

Sport at the central park

A petrol station being evacuated

View onto the city of Pokrovsk

Locals pack all their belongings and flee

The city library packing up

In the last supermarket of Pokrovsk

Evacuation at the train station