Irpin is a small town 25 km north of Kyiv and the battleground for Russian and Ukrainian troops in the past week. In the last few days, a humanitarian corridor was established and thousands of people were evacuated. The fight keeps going on, and lots of civilians are still trapped inside the town or are too afraid to leave their basements or shelters. This is the last town before Kyiv. These pictures were taken March 12, 2022.
In Photos: Fierce Fighting Between Russia and Ukraine Forces Near Irpin
- By Yan Boechat

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An elderly woman finally leaves Irpin after days hiding in a shelter to survive the shelling. Irpin, Ukraine, March 12, 2022. (Yan Boechat/VOA)

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Civilians cross the Irpin River that divides the little town of Irpin from Kyiv. Irpin, Ukraine, March 12, 2022. (Yan Boechat/VOA)

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An elderly woman is carried away from the battle area and taken to a hospital in Kyiv. Irpin, Ukraine, March 12, 2022. (Yan Boechat/VOA)

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A man helps his grandfather after fleeing the town of Irpin, where Russian and Ukrainian troops had been fighting for days. Irpin, Ukraine, March 12, 2022. (Yan Boechat/VOA)