Zabuchsia is a few kilometers from the entrance irpinthe city bulwark at the gates of Kyiv where the advance of the Russian army has practically stalled. Yesterday afternoon the mayor of the city, Olexandr Markushin, announced his release, but the clashes are still too close to allow access to what has been left on the ground after weeks of attacks. For example, Ukrainian soldiers at the checkpoint prevent even journalists from entering: “It is still too dangerous to be in the city or to enter it explains the mayor of Irpin , you shoot again and the risk of getting hit is very high. TO Bucha (5 kilometers north of Irpin, ed.) The fighting is ongoing. The authorities go further evacuate residents. My city is in ruins, at least 50% of the building stock is destroyed, but as announced yesterday, the Russians have been expelled.
At the level of Syrettes The situation changes drastically along Stetsenka Street, which runs next to Dubky Park. THE checkpoints become more frequent and traffic less intense. A few kilometers further it is necessary to continue on foot for a while, bypassing the main road dominated by the railway bridge of the line that goes north and then turns east across the river Dnepr. A section of the expressway around one kilometer long is closed to both people and vehicles: a sign indicates the potential danger explosives on the way. It is advisable to follow the civilians, the residents of the area, those who stayed despite everything, although forced to live with the roar of the explosions near their homes.
In the first weeks of March, the Russian advance reached here and Signs of heavy artillery are evident: buildings affectedothers damaged by the shock wave, burned vehicles in the middle of the street. Yet there is still someone who has no intention of giving up and walking away. Like the lady JuliaShe sits on a bench and holds her dachshund’s leash in her hand: “Where should I go at my age? I’ve gotten used to these outbursts by now. It will all be over soon.”
In the last section of Stetsenka, a road almost 7 kilometers long, once you have passed another roadblock, you will reach the Lavina Mall, a huge shopping center less than 10 kilometers from Irpin as the crow flies. Traffic is closed to the north along the E373. This is the fastest way to reach Irpin and in particular Bucha, where clashes are still very strong and where Ukrainian forces yesterday denounced the violence of the Russian army. If in Kyiv the fighting in the attacked area is a constant background, here the scenario is changing and becoming more and more oppressive. But the military at the checkpoints and the civilians, who are actually passing fewer and fewer, don’t seem particularly tense and worried. A matter of habit.
A roadblock is soon found on the way south, the army builds another barrier from which a secondary road leads to the town of Irpin. The front of the battle draws closer and the roar increases in intensity. Continuing along the P30 road, you will pass the geographic border of the Kyiv region and enter the Irpin Municipality. We leave behind small clusters of houses until we reach Zabuchchya, the last town before Irpin. Despite the permits, the checkpoint’s military chief blocks those who wish to proceed. In a few days, perhaps with the liberation of nearby Bucha, where the epicenter of the military confrontation between the Russian and Ukrainian armies has shifted, and perhaps it will be possible to officially register the remains of Irpin.