The small town of Avdiyivka lies on the front line between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatist forces. It has come under fire from both sides. Many houses have been destroyed, and power is intermittent. But the Avdiyivka coke plant has kept going. The only major source of jobs and wages to local people, it is also one of the largest taxpayers in Ukraine. By RFE/RL Current Time TV photographer Petr Shelomovskiy
Smoldering On -- Key Ukrainian Coke Plant Defies Shelling
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Clouds of steam rise over the Avdiyivka coke plant -- the biggest coke plant in Ukraine.
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Coke plant manager Musa Magomedov stands by birch trees near the factory entrance. "The last two times we were shelled, it seemed to me we were the target... everything fell right inside the plant, nothing outside, it was very accurate."
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Workers arrive at the start of their shift. The plant was out of action for a number of months, and has been hit repeatedly by mortar shells.
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Maria Vasilyevna, an Avdiyivka resident. Her apartment was damaged by shelling, but at her son's apartment "everything has been destroyed."
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A Ukrainian serviceman at an apartment in Avdiyivka.
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A truck drives through Avdiyivka coke plant. A fire on May 23 killed and injured a number of workers, and severely damaged part of the plant.
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Ukrainian servicemen rest in a kitchen. Many of them have been fighting for six months without leave.
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Ukrainian servicemen in their sleeping quarters.
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Coke plant security staff inspect a passing car. The plant is not working at full capacity.
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A worker shovels red hot coal.
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Marina, a local of Avdiyivka, had to move to her sister's flat, because her apartment was destroyed by shelling.
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Avdiyivka coke chemical plant as seen from a field near the town on June 9, 2015.