In the eastern Donetsk region, a critical area of the war-torn Donbas, the last operational train station has become a symbol of despair amidst Russian advances. Civilians and soldiers alike gather here, seeking escape from the relentless conflict, as the sounds of war echo behind them.
As President Vladimir Putin gains confidence with the leaking of US-proposed peace terms, many in Ukraine remain unconvinced. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that territorial issues profoundly complicate negotiations. Cocktails of hope and resignation characterize personal encounters at the station, where soldier Andrii, parting from his girlfriend Polina, pessimistically regards the so-called peace discussions as mere 'chatter.'
The outlook is gloomy, with Russian forces now controlling around 85% of the Donbas, including the recently claimed town of Pokrovsk. Soldiers are weary, yet their commitment to the land is palpable; soldier Denys asserts, Nobody will give Putin the Donbas. No way, it's our land. With heavy losses, both military and civilian, the spirit to fight remains ignited, even as fears of sustained warfare deepen.
As civilians flee the escalating violence—reportedly more than 200 arriving daily at a local reception center—30,000 troops face a tremendous drain on morale. Some families, like Yevheniy and Maryna, who seek refuge from drones hovering ominously overhead, contemplate uncertain futures in Kyiv, expressing doubts about future peace.
Contrasting perspectives emerge; Oleksandr expresses a readiness to negotiate, even if it means relinquishing territory. In the chaos of war, Inna, with her children, longs for peace above all else, willing to leave her home behind to ensure their safety.
With rampant desertions—300,000 cases reported since the war's resurgence—some soldiers, like Serhii, question the leadership and effectiveness of their units. Thinking logically leads many to a stark realization of the war's imbalance. The emotional and psychological toll on military participants and civilian families continues to evolve as the conflict stretches into uncertainty.
As negotiations unfold, the future remains ambiguous. The resilience among Ukrainians in the Donbas reflects a complex tapestry of desires for peace against the backdrop of an ongoing fight for sovereignty and survival.
