Moscow says the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), where the offensive continues, is under its control, and the Ukrainians are retreating, while Ukraine denies losing more territory.
We are ready for the assault : Ukraine s war-weary troops brace for new onslaught from Russia
As Russian troops mass near Ukraine s borders, Kiev s forces fear a repeat of Russia s invasion of 2014
16 April 2021 • 8:00pm
Ukrainian Troops move through trenches along the frontline
near Shchastaya, Eastern Ukraine
Credit: JULIAN SIMMONDS FOR THE TELEGRAPH
Spring is arriving slowly in the town of Avdiivka.
Tightly-wrapped buds are appearing on the birch trees turned grey by the soot of the nearby chemical factory.
The ploughed black earth is speckled with the earliest green shoots of the year’s crop.
And once or twice a day, the rattle of automatic weapons fire briefly breaks the silence of the winter ceasefire.