“We just have to keep a cool mind while working.”
Alexandra is an anaesthetist on the Ukrainian frontline.
Despite everything she witnesses, she keeps going.

Watch our special report from the ground: https://l.euronews.com/jRI

As Ukraine enters the fourth year of war since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, fighting is raging like never before on the country’s eastern frontline

READ MORE : https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-last-standoff-before-peace

Ukraine enters its fourth year of war, with intense fighting raging on the eastern frontline. As the Ukrainian army resists relentless Russian offensives, civilians struggle with deteriorating living conditions. Euronews correspondent Valerie Gauriat traveled to the Donetsk region, documenting the situation around Pokrovsk, one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds.

On the Pokrovsk frontline, Ukrainian artillery units fire constantly, responding to relentless Russian advances. The soldiers, many in their twenties, face one of the most brutal battles of the war. At a command post nearby, officers warn of the enemy’s progress, exploiting weaker and less-equipped brigades to gain ground. The battle for Pokrovsk is crucial: if Russian forces take control, they could advance along the Dnipro-Pokrovsk transport route, gaining a strategic foothold.

Not far from the frontline, in Pokrovsk itself, residents endure daily bombardments. Despite the danger, many refuse to evacuate. Some cling to the hope that Russia will restore order, reminiscent of Soviet-era beliefs. However, as one Ukrainian officer observes, “Russia leaves nothing but ruins behind.”

Further west, the industrial Donbas region remains vital for Ukraine’s economy. The country’s oldest coal mines, crucial for energy production, now rely on a growing number of female workers. With many men either fighting or fallen, women now make up 5% of the underground workforce, a historic shift from Soviet-era restrictions. Among them is Oksana, who lost her father and eldest son in Russian shelling. Working in the mines provides her not just a livelihood, but a way to contribute to Ukraine’s resistance. A former choreographer, she continues to teach dance to teenagers after her shifts, determined to hold onto hope.

The resilience of Ukrainians is evident both on the battlefield and in everyday survival. As the war grinds on, morale remains a challenge. At a military medical stabilization point near Pokrovsk, 22-year-old anesthetist Sasha explains the emotional toll of treating the wounded daily. Despite exhaustion, she and her colleagues persevere, driven by duty and the will to see Ukraine through the war.

This report highlights the dire situation on the ground, where soldiers, civilians, and essential workers all play a role in Ukraine’s struggle for survival. As the conflict enters another year, their resilience remains unshaken, even in the face of unimaginable hardship.

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