Tensions rise in Ukraine over military offensive
- 10 years ago
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, rebels say they're in a "state of siege".
Government forces have moved into this rebel stronghold.
A military offensive by the central government to claw back territory it lost to pro-Russian separatists, who remain defiant.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER, SAYING:
"They are killing our women and our children. We are against this. And so we have to live like this to eat like this and defend ourselves in this way. We will stay until the end."
Surface-to-surface government rockets have rained down on the city center.
People shelter friends and relatives who fled nearby villages as fighting advanced.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DONETSK RESIDENT, VALENTINA LYSENKO, SAYING:
"Ask this child why is she staying at the homes and offices of strangers? Because they bombed us...People have no place to live, there are so many victims."
A storming of the city appears to be ruled out.
Ukraine ha
Government forces have moved into this rebel stronghold.
A military offensive by the central government to claw back territory it lost to pro-Russian separatists, who remain defiant.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER, SAYING:
"They are killing our women and our children. We are against this. And so we have to live like this to eat like this and defend ourselves in this way. We will stay until the end."
Surface-to-surface government rockets have rained down on the city center.
People shelter friends and relatives who fled nearby villages as fighting advanced.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DONETSK RESIDENT, VALENTINA LYSENKO, SAYING:
"Ask this child why is she staying at the homes and offices of strangers? Because they bombed us...People have no place to live, there are so many victims."
A storming of the city appears to be ruled out.
Ukraine ha