what's life like on the other side? >> translator: it's like we are indigenous people being oppressed by colonizers. we are not allowed to go either here or there. >> reporter: on the other side, the self-declared people's republic, a russian-led separatist region, has been at war with ukraine since 2014. for the thousands of people who have to cross back and forth on this bridge into russian-controlled territory every day, war with russia isn't imminent. it's their past, present, and future. what is the significance of this crossing? >> translator: this checkpoint is very important for the people living on both sides because it's the only one that's still functioning. most people cross the checkpoint to get their pension, get vaccinated, visit relatives or buy groceries. >> reporter: here, the west pledges of support have always running hollow. is there anything else that you want to tell the world? >> translator: tell biden,