Lower Thirds:

0:02	Report by | Rebecca Ritters
0:34	Ihor Pylypushka | Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region
1:48	Ihor Pylypushka | Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region
2:15	Lena | Evacuee
2:35	Tamara | Resident

((info: As winter tightens its grip on Ukraine, thousands of families living close to the front line are facing freezing temperatures, failing power supplies and the constant threat of attack. Humanitarian workers are racing to deliver food, fuel and warm clothing, and try to persuade those still clinging on to leave before it’s too late. Our team followed one such operation, in the southern Zaphorizhia region.))

Script: 

+++SYN MAZ+++

00:00
Out of all the difficult winters since Russia launched its full scale invasion, this one is proving the hardest.

Along the front line Russian forces are creeping  closer  – and Moscow’s relentless attacks on energy infrastructure have left people with almost no protection against the freezing cold…
Making humanitarian work essential. 

00:23 
+++SOT – Ihor Pylypushka, Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region +++
We had two evacuations planned today. Now we've had to add three more — not only because of missiles, not only because of the war, but also because of weather conditions. +++

00:41
This woman's house has no gas and no running water. 
And Ihor and his team worry it will soon be directly on the front line.

00:51
+++SOT Ihor Pylypushka, Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region +++
In the coming days we’ll find another house and try to take you all from here. +++

00:57
She doesn’t want to leave without her animals – her cats, dogs and ducks.
So for now the team does what they can to keep her warm and fed.

01:08
+++ Ihor Pylypushka, Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region +++
We brought you some firewood, and food… There are warm socks, and cold and flu medicine. +++

01:19
They leave food for her animals too – but depart with a stark warning:

01:26
+++ SOT Ihor Pylypushka, NGO Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region +++
Dear, when the shelling starts, nobody will be able to bring you fuel. 
You can’t stay here. If they come closer, we won’t be able to take you with your animals. Then it’s either we take you alone or you stay and die. +++

01:41
With no more time to persuade her, Ihor and his team move on.
To advance further, though, they need police clearance.

01:49
+++UPSOT Ihor Pylypushka, Chaplain Patrol Eastern Region +++
"Tell me, please, can you scan with the system to see if Komyshuvakha is clear?"

01:54
Roads considered relatively safe not long ago are now being targeted by unmanned drones.

02:01
This group's convoy was attacked just a few weeks ago. 

02:07
In the next village, day-to-day life has become unbearable for some. 
This woman has decided to leave… while she still can. 

02:15
+++ SOT Lena, Evacuee +++
We hoped it would get better, or that the war would end. But it only gets worse. The situation is forcing us to flee. +++

02:27
Her husband and son are leaving too. But her mother refuses to go.

02:35
+++ SOT Tamara, Resident +++
My son is buried here. He was Lena's twin. I can’t leave him.+++

02:44
She stays …  guarding the house and the family's memories.

In a few weeks, spring may bring some relief to those who have chosen to stay. But with the front line edging ever closer, many may soon be forced to reconsider…  whether they are ready or not.+++