there has been a dramatic rise in the number of ukrainian casualties. ukraine is not given an official number of those who have died in battle but there are reports as 70,000 are dead. earlier, president zelensky paid tribute to the fallen men and women who died defending the country. the toll of the world hangs heavy on the soldiers fighting to stop russian advances on the eastern front. the bbc has been in the front. the bbc has been in the front line and sent this report. a fitness champion who volunteered to fight. his convoy was destroyed last november. honestly, it is still very hard to accept that he is
no casualities have been reported. the local governor said the military was repelling an attack. he uploaded video showing a large fire while an explosion could also be heard. all flights have since been cancelled as local officials investigate the scene. pskov is more than 600 kilometres, or about 370 miles away from ukraine, close to the border with estonia. us officials claim there s been a dramatic rise in the number of ukrainian casualties. ukraine has not given an official number of those who have died in battle, but there are reports that as many as 70,000 are dead. the bbc s quentin sommerville has more. for this woman, it is her husband she mourns. forfive years, they were together, and the grief is still raw. pavlov was a fitness champion who volunteered to fight. a russian air strike destroyed his convoy
defending the country. the toll of the war hangs heavy on the 68 brigade, soldiers were fighting to stop russian advances on the eastern front near the town. for 0ksana, advances on the eastern front nearthe town. for 0ksana, it is her husband she moans. for five years they were together and agree the still role. pablo was a fitness champion who volunteered to fight. a russian air strike destroyed his convoy last november. last november. honestly, it is still very hard last november. honestly, it is still very hard to last november. honestly, it is still very hard to accept - last november. honestly, it is still very hard to accept that l still very hard to accept that he is gone. it is only when i am here that it sinks in. i feel he is still somewhere. that he is still alive and on a mission. doing hisjob.
pavlo was a fitness champion who volunteered to fight. a russian air strike destroyed his convoy last november. translation: honestly, it s still very hard - to accept that he is gone. it is only when i am here that it sinks in. i feel he is still somewhere. that he is still alive, and on a mission, doing hisjob. in marriage, 0ksana made a pact with her husband that she would join up if he was killed in action. she is still getting used to army life and the danger that come with it.
singing continues. everyone has lost someone. for 0ksana, it s her husband she mourns. for five years, they were together. and the grief is still raw. pavlo was a fitness champion who volunteered to fight. a russian airstrike destroyed his convoy last november. translation: honestly, it s still very hard - to accept that he has gone. it s only when i m here that it sinks in. i feel he s still somewhere. that he s still alive and on a mission, doing hisjob.