Ukrainian soldiers who are dug in and holding the line between the towns of Siversk and Soledar in the Donbas region say they face shelling "24/7." They spoke to RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir about how they endure the constant Russian shelling and air strikes. One man struck a defiant note, saying, "The truth is on our side."
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, active fighting continues on the outskirts of the city as Russian forces try to capture the key area. The city itself is half-empty. RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir spoke to one of the few residents who refuse to leave despite the fighting.
RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir was embedded with Ukrainian troops on June 7 as they ducked constant Russian artillery fire near occupied Svitlodarsk on Ukraine's eastern front in the Donetsk region. After they dodged the enemy shelling in neighboring Novoluhanske, Ukrainian defenders talked about the enemy's strategy.
The Ukrainian military has started to actively use the 155-millimeter M777 howitzer, delivered by the United States. The long-range artillery has already made an impact during the exchange of fire with Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir visited Ukrainian frontline positions on June 6 and talked to soldiers fighting Russian troops in the Donetsk region.
Over the past few days, the intensity of shelling on the main road connecting the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has increased significantly. Moscow aims to capture a vital route leading northeast to the twin towns of Lysychansk and Syevyerodonetsk where Ukrainian and Russian troops are engaged in close-quarter combat. Russian forces are also shelling hangars where grain and seeds are stored. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir reports from the front line in eastern Ukraine.