The unassuming village of Kardashynka in southern Ukraine is home to Maryna and Valentyna.
On the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, in the marshy lowlands, there is a small settlement of houses that is occupied by the Russians.
Even after Kherson City was liberated in November of last year, the surrounding communities were unable to travel there due to bridge destruction.
This week, while being rescued from the recent catastrophic floods, they finally made that journey in a series of events that few could have anticipated.
According to Maryna, "A boat was passing, so we started shouting and waving.".
Since the collapse of the Khakovka dam upstream, the Dnipro has devoured a significant portion of her surrounding area.
Their residences are situated close to the front line of water that divides the territory under Ukrainian control from that held by Russia.
We have been awaiting assistance, says Maryna. "Valentyna is 86 years old and I'm 76, but I have many illnesses.
It's been extremely challenging. It appeared as though we were on a deserted island because there was no power and no reception. ".
She breaks down and starts to cry.
Viktor Kovalenko, a friend of theirs whose wife was recently killed by shelling across the river, has joined them.
The Moscow-installed officials who now control his neighborhood required him to obtain her death certificate before he could be rescued.
"I laid her to rest next to my mother. He says, "I told her to wait for me.
He is in intense, visceral pain.
"I repeatedly cursed at the Russians. Why they spared my life is beyond me. We had such a wonderful life together, if only you knew. I currently have no wife, no house, and nothing. ".
It is obvious that Maryna, Valentyna, and Viktor are the lucky ones because the eastern bank has experienced the worst flooding.
There are hundreds of people there who have posted on the Telegram app requesting to be rescued.
Svitlana, who claims that 35 people are trapped at an address, writes, "Help me please!". She describes them as being on a nearby roof, where kids are crying and screaming.
"We are slowly perishing after three days without food or water. Just say the word. ".
150 names of people who are reportedly missing have been found on one local list, which was published on Friday.
There is a grandmother who was born in 1939 and a disabled woman who was born in 1958, writes Aliona. Help, they need to be evacuated.
Numerous people who claimed to be stuck on the Russian side were called by our team, but no one answered.
Numerous people across Ukraine have responded with their addresses and offers to house the group once they have been rescued.
While claiming that "fearless volunteers" were responsible for some of the evacuations from the eastern bank, the Ukrainian military claims that it has been coordinating rescue efforts.
Volunteer Viktor tells us he came under Russian fire while attempting such a trip on board one rescue boat as we navigate the vast area of Kherson's flooded port.
Viktor, who is providing rides to people trapped in their apartment buildings, says, "The issue is that Russian soldiers are waiting there and waiting for volunteers or soldiers to arrive so they can shoot them.
The BBC was unable to independently corroborate these claims.
"Working is challenging even now. Kherson is being attacked at this very moment. Additionally, the island was being shelled; a rocket hit us from 30 meters away. ".
The military administration has advised volunteers not to go out on the water because of the city's increased shelling in the last few days of reporting from Kherson.
However, it hasn't stopped people like Viktor from looking for trapped people who still require assistance.
Rachael Thorn and Daria Sipigina contributed additional reporting.
