Saturday, 27 June 2015

AP Photos: Ukrainian village caught in crossfire of war

In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires his rifle at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. Roads to the village have all but crumbled away under the weight of military trucks, tanks and armored personnel carriers.


For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them. Somewhere in the distance is the enemy: Russian-backed separatists whose stated aim is to double the amount of territory under their control.

The whole front line is mined. Unseen tripwires litter the fields. Wandering unguardedly into the foliage risks attracting heavy machine-gun fire.

The sound of ammunition blasts is heard throughout the night. Everybody uses everything that they have: mortars, rocket launchers and heavy machine guns. These battles usually last no more than two hours, but usually less.

As the Ukrainian soldiers explain, the rebels are probing weak spots in their defensive lines.

Around an hour before light breaks, a new volley of rocket fire flies in from rebel positions. The artillery fire keeps going until 5 a.m., the shells sailing over Krymske and landing with a burst somewhere in the distance.

Ukrainians troops reply in kind, grumbling about the would-be peace agreement signed in February that bans the presence of heavy weapons from the front line.

Later in the day, we learn where the rebel shells have landed: on government checkpoint No. 29, and in the villages of Toshkivka and Novotovshkiske.

The following night, the routine repeats all over again.

(AP)
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian soldier from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion throws knifes during a training at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian soldier from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion throws knifes during a training at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion have a meal at a frontline position in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them. The sign on a flag at left reads "Freedom or death."
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion have a meal at a frontline position in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them. The sign on a flag at left reads "Freedom or death."  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion talk atop an armored vehicle with a word on it saying "my love" in Ukrainian at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion talk atop an armored vehicle with a word on it saying "my love" in Ukrainian at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.   
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires a machine gun at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires a machine gun at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion arranges ammunition at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion arranges ammunition at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.   
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion renders assistance to his comrade at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion renders assistance to his comrade at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.   
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015 a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015 a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guards his position at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion carry a box of ammunition at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion carry a box of ammunition at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires his rifle at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires his rifle at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guard a position at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion guard a position at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires an weapon at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires an weapon at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires his gun at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires his gun at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion cleans his rifle in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 23, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion cleans his rifle in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion talk atop an armored vehicle with a word on it saying "my love" in Ukrainian at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion talk atop an armored vehicle with a word on it saying "my love" in Ukrainian at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen ride atop an armored vehicle at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, Ukrainian servicemen ride atop an armored vehicle at a frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires a machine gun at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion fires a machine gun at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.  
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion uses binoculars at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
In this photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015, a Ukrainian serviceman from the Kiev-2 volunteer battalion uses binoculars at the frontline in the village of Krymske, east Ukraine. Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight alongside them.
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