The city of Pokrovsk in the Donbas is well and truly in Moscow’s sights.
As we drive in it is almost deserted.
There are some cars on the road – mostly they are military, or emergency workers.
Vladislav and Victor from the local fire and rescue are now being called out every day.
They show us a building that was hit in an artillery strike. Russian forces are getting closer and everyone is at risk
“Yesterday our vehicle was hit by enemy fire. It was targeted by a so-called FPV drone. Fortunately, our rescuers were unharmed. Everyone survived, though the vehicle was damaged. But, that’s just how it is,” Vladislav tells me.
Further down the road, another building is on fire.
Everything here is within range of Russia’s guns.
An engine soon arrives and firefighters tackle the blaze. Most people have left but those that remain are frightened.
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Hannah saw the strike on the building and she’s terrified.
“People don’t matter to anyone; we don’t matter to anyone. How many of us are even left here? They’ve turned this place into a dead city.”
Pic: Alex Rossi
In the centre, we meet Lyudmila. She tells me she has nowhere else to go as shells whistle over the city.
We move into cover and wait for the artillery to stop.
Some people say they have nowhere else to go Pic: Alex Rossi
Kamikaze drone threat
Pokrovsk is continually under fire now because it is strategically important.
It is why its bridges and roads are being targeted.
The city is a supply hub for Ukrainian troops but they are struggling to defend it.
We are taken by the military to an artillery position.
As we drive they keep an electronic jammer close at hand – it’s a defence against Russia’s Kamikaze drones.
The soldiers here are often firing many rounds a day but the enemy’s creeping advance is relentless.
Danylo commands the 15th Brigade Artillery Battery Pic: Alex Rossi
‘We need long-range missiles’
The commander of the 15th Brigade Artillery Battery, Danylo, says they need better weapons and permission to strike deep into Russia with Western missiles.
“…We need more effective weapons, for example, a larger calibre,” he says. “We also need logistical support, like vehicles.
“For our country, I think we need long-range missiles. The enemy increases their production every day. For example, ammunition and FPV drones, so we need to destroy all that, along with their supply routes.”
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At a control room, they monitor the artillery strikes and look for new targets.
Russian troops are spotted moving through the houses and another barrage of fire is called in.
Commander Oleksandr had hoped Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk region would have diverted forces from the Donbas but there’s been no let-up.
“They pulled some forces back from here, but not as many as we would have hoped. There are still a lot of enemy troops, equipment, and other fire assets concentrated in this area.”
As this European war enters its third winter it is clear Vladimir Putin will keep throwing men and weapons into the fight.
Ukraine is managing to slow the advance but without more help from the West, the troops along the frontline in eastern Ukraine wonder how long they’ll be able to keep up their defence.
