A new documentary tells the stories of Belgorod residents who stayed behind when the Ukrainian army began shelling their city. Doctors, activists, bus drivers—they all continue to work and help others, risking their own lives. Aleksandr Marchenko leads Belgorod’s territorial defence. He clears debris after building collapses due to shelling and evacuates residents from the most dangerous areas. Svetlana Shkonda owns a café, and along with her colleagues, she cooks for the military and those forced to leave their homes.
Belgorod has been under shelling since May 2023. For the residents, the wail of air raid sirens is a nearly constant background noise. However, they refuse to abandon their homes. The remaining residents are dedicated to their work, come together to help others, and are determined to protect their city.
Frontline Belgorod
