What's happened
A 98-year-old Ukrainian woman, Lidia Stepanovna, fled her town in eastern Ukraine to escape Russian troops. She walked 10km under shelling, supported by sticks, and was rescued by a police unit after a harrowing journey. Stepanovna's story highlights the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine.
Why it matters
Lidia Stepanovna's harrowing escape from the conflict zone underscores the dire situation faced by civilians in war-torn regions. Her resilience and determination serve as a poignant reminder of the human impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, shedding light on the plight of elderly individuals caught in the midst of war.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera and Sky News both report on Lidia Stepanovna's escape from the conflict zone, highlighting her incredible journey and the challenges she faced. The Independent provides additional details on her evacuation by a police unit and the efforts to locate her relatives.
How we got here
The conflict in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv and Moscow-backed separatists has been ongoing since 2014. The recent escalation, with Russian troops advancing into Ukrainian territory, has led to increased violence and displacement of civilians. Lidia Stepanovna's escape is a stark example of the impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in