Two villages near the city of Donetsk, Avdiyivka and Pisky, are the scene of ongoing fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists. Both towns have been heavily damaged, and the fighters are suffering the impact of months or years of combat. RFE/RL journalists visited the front-line positions of the Ukrainian government forces in both locations.
Life In The Trenches On The Outskirts Of Donetsk
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Ukrainian soldiers have dug trenches and tunnels in the Promka industrial zone. The Russia-backed separatists have also dug in to their positions on the other side of the front lines.
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A Ukrainian soldier points toward the zone of combat in an industrial area near Avdiyivka, just north of Donetsk.
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Journalists run for cover with Ukrainian government forces, anticipating the start of shelling.
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Ukrainian soldiers taking a break