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Ceasefire?
Max Avdeev
© Max Avdeev
In April 2014, after Ukrainian troops withdraw from Crimea, there are reports of Russian troops gathering in border areas near the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine’s industrial center.
On May 11th pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence as “people’s republics” based on referendums, which were not recognised by official Kiev or the West.
A ceasefire was agreed in Minsk, Belarus on September 5th between Ukraine and the pro-Russian rebels. It was violated just four days later when fierce combat has erupted around Donetsk airport.
In January of 2015, fighting between the army and the rebels intensifies around Donetsk and Luhansk region. Both sides seemed to be battling for new ground, to strengthen their negotiating positions in a view of any “peace summit”.
The most brutal fighting is near the town of Debaltseve, where the rebels was trying to surround Ukrainian troops. The town is a crucial railroad hub in the East Ukraine, linking Donetsk and Luhansk.
As clashes continued there is a new diplomatic solution to cease fire. Meanwhile, a armistice allows civilians to leave Debaltseve.
On February 12th — after marathon talks in the Belarus, Minsk, an agreement was reached to end the fighting. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France announced that a ceasefire will start on February 15th. The deal also included weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled.
The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine also signed the agreement. It meant to include a buffer zone for heavy weaponary, with a minimum of 50 km (30 miles) between rival forces’ artillery.
Despite the ceasefire, heavy clashes continues around Debaltseve, with rebels aiming to capture the strategically important road hub, to join up their territory held in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Max Avdeev embeds with the rebel fighters known as the First Slavyansk Brigade in Logvinov to capture the horrific sights of the conflict.
