Ivlev-Yorke has described the severe mental health problems faced by many people

living in basements in frontline areas. They often spend months together with no
electricity, water, gas or fresh air, while battles rage above.

On a visit to Soledar, a town east of Bakhmut from which Ukrainian forces retreated
in January, he persuaded a woman to evacuate with her child. As they were leaving
with her, some of those staying in the basement swore at her and burned her
belongings.

Ivlev-Yorke said his experience in another a basement on the opposite side of the
road in Soledar was “completely different”, which he attributed to each basement
becoming its own “tight-knit community”.

He said people gave many reasons for not leaving, from having an elderly relative
who could not walk, or a dog they did not want to be separated from, to not
believing he would be able to arrange accommodation for them. Many of those he
encountered have already fled once.