Some 1,300 evacuees have fled Kherson city's Korabelniy district since Russia began bombing a bridge on August 2 that connects to the urban center to the north.
Some residents have left home behind, carrying only pets and minimal belongings as volunteers help rescue elderly or ailing residents.
"I only took the bare essentials," said Inna, who spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "I evacuated with my dog. My neighbors, too. We'll be living together for a while. Last year, a shell hit my house and my husband was killed. The dog was injured."
Dramatic videos of the Korabelniy bridge being blasted have spread across social media channels, underscoring the risk to Ukrainians who live near boundaries where Russians have occupied territory.
