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More than 100,000 Russian soldiers are stationed in close proximity to Ukraine.
Military exercises take place every day.
On the other side of the border, people fear what might happen to them - like Rostislav in the Luhansk region.
Rostislav, employee of the State Service for Emergency Situations:
'You are on the front line now. Nobody knows what happens here at night. They will crush us and that's it. Where shall we go? we live here We were born here.«
The 46-year-old lives in poor conditions in the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
There is no running water, Rostislav got firewood from the Ukrainian military.
Rostislav, employee of the State Service for Emergency Situations:
"I hope the military will give me a Kalashnikov when the Separatists come."
The Donetsk and Luhansk regions are visibly marked by the military clashes of recent years between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian army.
Alexander, Separatist:
»We are here in the village of Zholobok, in the very house where an elderly woman lived. She was the last to leave during the fighting. She didn't want to leave. She left when the shelling had already begun. She was the last to leave her house when all the other houses in the area were already destroyed. It was destroyed, but only after she had already left, thank goodness. That's why it didn't get to her."
According to their own statements, the young separatists Alexander and Daniil want a future without conflicts.
Daniill, Separatist:
“I want our republic to be recognized as equal with others. That all of this stops. And I want some stability.«
In 2014, Moscow-loyal separatists proclaimed the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, which are not recognized internationally.
The people in the cities of the same name also fear a war with Russia – but continue to hope for de-escalation.
Natalya, resident:
“In this conflict zone, most of us have what is needed in dangerous times. The people who live here near the front lines are ready to adapt depending on the situation. When war breaks out again, they will either go to the shelters for a few days to get through the hard times, or leave town. I hope there will be no war and we can live in peace.«
Oleksiy, residents:
“I am very concerned and sorry about what happened. I hope our nations will soon come to an agreement. I don't know if there will be war or not, but I don't want it. I don't want brothers to fight, I want peace for all.«
Because of the Russian troop deployment near the border with Ukraine, Kiev and the West fear a Russian invasion.
Moscow denies a planned invasion and says it feels threatened by Ukraine and NATO.
Many NATO countries have pledged their support to Ukraine.
Foreign arms shipments land in Kiev almost every day.
On Wednesday, representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France tried to find a diplomatic way out of the crisis in Paris.
Such a one could save the people on the Ukrainian-Russian border a lot of suffering.
