'The city is alive': A brief peace in Kherson, but residents fear what comes next

This week, dozens of people were also able to access their belongings and homes in the so-called "red zone" of Kherson – an area so exposed to drones and artillery attacks that it has become unlivable.

"Some are venturing into places where nobody has dared to go for years, filming areas where simply being present has meant - and will once again mean - almost certain death," said Denisa Bohackova, a Czech volunteer who lives in Kherson.

Dima described scenes of "girls, boys, parents, grandmothers" walking down the streets of the red zone carrying suitcases and bags, returning to their flats to see what they could retrieve.