Trains no longer run to Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region - part of the Donbas claimed in its entirety by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. It's another sign of the steady Russian advance.
Instead, the last station is now on the western side of the Donetsk border, where civilians and soldiers await rides to safety. Soldier Andrii and his girlfriend Polina share a brief moment together before he returns to the front, uncertain of their next reunion.
Despite ongoing peace talks, many soldiers express doubts about the discussions' validity. Andrii dismisses them as mere chatter, unreflective of a rapid resolution to the crisis. Russian forces claim control of nearly 85% of Donbas as Ukraine's government grapples with political and territorial complexities during negotiations.
Denys, another soldier, proclaims, Nobody will give Putin the Donbas. No way, it's our land. Many Ukrainians reject the notion of ceding territory that houses their communities, intensifying the debate as US-led negotiations unfold.
Civilians continue to flee, taking advantage of poor visibility from fog to evade drones as they make their way to reception centers in safer areas. Families like Yevheniy and Maryna, who escaped Kramatorsk with their children, describe their plight amid increasing reports of drone activity and escalating danger.
While some like Oleksandr contemplate yielding territory for peace, the consensus among many remains focused on resistance and a fierce unwillingness to relinquish their homeland.
Inna, a mother fleeing Kramatorsk with her children, emphasizes that peace is paramount, even at the cost of their home. The courageous resolve of the people of Donbas echoes amidst despair, as the war's toll weighs heavily on their hearts.
While the soldier Serhii expresses doubts about Ukraine's ability to win against a larger adversary, the struggle for sovereignty continues on the ground with relentless determination.
