MAKARIV, Ukraine - Russian troops left behind an abundance of mines and booby traps across the streets of Makariv when they retreated and residents of the war-battered Ukrainian town are taking the risk of cleaning it up in order to regain a sense of normality.
Among many Ukrainians searching from house to house and clearing them of booby traps is Kalash Ishu, a Kurd from Armenia who lost everything he had built in the past 30 years, in a matter of three days.
He says Russians destroyed his residence and five shops during their onslaught.
“It took us 30 years to build our life here. In a matter of one night, everyone was gone. We are rebuilding it bit by bit. It may get bombed and we will have to once again rebuild it,” Ishu told Rudaw on Wednesday.
"I will have to rebuild it once again. There is no other option. I have to keep repairing it even if it gets destroyed again," he said.
According to data obtained by Rudaw from the local municipality in Makariv, a total of 180 dead bodies were discovered on the city streets and in 50 nearby villages.
In addition, 3,053 governmental and private buildings are reported to have been damaged, 657 of which have been completely destroyed.
It may take the residents of Makariv restore their hometown back to anything resembling what it was before February 24 when the war began.
"People do not have the very basic life necessities including medicines and shower essentials, food, and water," Vitaliy Kulikov, another resident of Makariv told Rudaw.
"Many people are left without anything in their homes."
The United Nations estimates that nearly 3,000 civilians have been killed and at least 3,200 injured across Ukraine since the war began in February.
Cameraman: Ahmed Younus
