The Ukrainian army pushes closer to rebel-held Donetsk.
Kiev is battling what it calls the "epicenter" of rebel forces along the Russian border following a deadly attack on Friday that left 23 servicemen killed.
But here in a town not far from Donetsk, soldiers say residents are thankful for their presence.
"Fifty percent of the city's residents left, they went wherever they could. But now they are slowly starting to return. We are here and they feel safer, all the people come and thank us for taking the city. We surround the town and defend it."
Meanwhile in Luhansk, the city's regional administration says at least three people were killed in shelling on Friday.
One woman had this message for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LUHANSK RESIDENT, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING:
Be the first to comment