Carrying willows, instead of palms, per the orthodox tradition. it s supposed to be a celebration of jesus s return to jerusalem, but there is little joy in this congregation. ukrainian officials say this city will be a decisive battleground in russia s imminent defensive in the donbas re region. the streets are getting emptier, as the fatephyting gets closer. those still here are are being urged to leave. the air-raid siren is an unrelenting wail. we have heard a steady stream of booms coming from that way, in the distance. but as you can see, people here are just used to it. the children continue to play. the adults tday strong. this group is awaiting an
Donbas is about to begin in the near future. and we visited one of the towns that will be very much in the crosshairs. at the cathedral in slovensk. we ask for your mercy, lord. please hear us. they have gathered here for orthodox palm sunday, carrying willows instead of palms, per the orthodox tradition. it is supposed to be a celebration of jesus s return to jerusalem. but there is little joy in this congregation. ukrainian officials say this city will be a decisive battleground in russia s imminent offensive in the donbas region. the streets are getting emptier as the fighting gets closer. those still here are being urged
Donbas, a fear that new offensive will be like nothing they ve ever seen before. military officials telling me they expect world war ii-like battles there, full armored formations, artillery, we re getting to see some of that. clarissa ward traveled to a town where residents are now praying for peace caught in the middle of war . reporter: at the alexander n nievsky, a prayer under the shadows of russia s war. we ask for your mercy, lord. please hear us. they have gathered here for orthodox palm sunday. carrying willows instead of palms for the orthodox tradition. it s supposed to be a celebration of jesus return to jerusalem, but there is little joy in this congregation. ukrainian officials say this
Offensive. reporter: at the alexander cathedral, an ardent prayer from worshipers under the shadow of russia s war. we ask for your mercy, lord. please hear us. they have gathered here for orthodox palm sunday, carrying willows instead of palms per the orthodox tradition. it s supposed to be a celebration of jesus return to jerusalem. but there is little joy in this congregation. ukrainian officials say this city will be a decisive battleground in russia s imminent offensive in the donbas region. the streets are getting emptier as the fighting gets closer. those still here are being urged to leave. the air raid siren is an