Key facts
- Oleksandr Richak, a 42-year-old taxi driver, continues to work in Sloviansk, Ukraine, as Russian troops advance.
- Sloviansk is now approximately 10 kilometers from Russian troops, facing an intensifying barrage of glide bombs and FPV attacks.
- Richak's wife, Nataliia, expresses worry about his safety due to increased drone activity.
- Richak previously worked in the police for 10 years until 2014, when he defected during the Russian invasion of Donbas.
- A passenger, Yurii, a soldier, shares memories with Richak of Velyka Novosilka, a town now under Russian occupation.
- Retiree Lyudmila Hurkina uses Richak's taxi for essential errands, having previously fled Horlivka in 2014.
Oleksandr Richak, a 42-year-old taxi driver in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, continues to operate his business despite the escalating conflict and proximity of Russian troops. The city, once a relative safe haven, is now only about 10 kilometers from the front lines and faces intensifying attacks from glide bombs and FPV drones.
Richak's wife, Nataliia, expresses deep concern for his safety, particularly with the increased threat from FPV drones targeting vehicles. She calls him whenever she hears explosions.
Despite the dangers, Richak drives past new ruins and observes a dwindling number of open businesses. He waits for bookings at the eerily empty Sloviansk central bus station alongside a few other remaining taxi drivers. During one encounter, he and fellow driver Ruslan Kuzmenko narrowly avoid an FPV drone strike that hits a nearby market.
Richak has a personal history with the region. He studied in Sloviansk, served in the military, and returned to the city with his family. He previously worked as a truck driver and later as a gas repair worker, supplementing his income with taxi services. He also served 10 years in the police until 2014, when he defected during the Russian occupation of Sloviansk, believing his unit had prearranged to defect to Russian proxy forces.
Passengers often share heavy stories of survival. One passenger, a soldier named Yurii, discovers a shared connection with Richak through their hometown of Velyka Novosilka. Another passenger, Lyudmila Hurkina, relies on Richak's taxi for essential errands as her husband is bedridden. She had previously fled Horlivka in 2014 and fears having to start over again at 59.
Richak often feels like a therapist to his passengers, listening to their problems and sometimes gathering information about the city's situation. A typical workday involves around 15 bookings, with Richak aiming to finish by 8 p.m. before the 9 p.m. curfew. After app commissions and expenses, he takes home about half of his daily earnings.