Ukrainians Await Their Fate In Avdiyivka As Russian Forces Pummel Frontline Town

During a lull in shelling on February 8, Avdiyivka residents, such as 71-year-old Lyubov Stepanova (right), quickly collect much-needed firewood. Russian forces are slowly gaining ground in the Donestk region.

Russian forces have been attacking repeatedly around Avdiyivka, which had a prewar population of some 30,000.

A Ukrainian armored personnel carrier in the battered town

For residents such as 51-year-old Andriy, going outside to fetch water containers can result in serious injury or death from the rockets that repeatedly strike the city.

The remains of a rocket are a reminder of how close residents are to the fighting.

While many residents fled, the remaining ones tend to be elderly, poor, or those caring for sick relatives.

As the vibrations from the shelling above continue, Halyna (center), 83, and Tetyana (left), 68, take turns massaging each other's hands to keep them warm. They live in this cold basement, which they share with about 20 other people.

Religious icons adorn the walls of the basement they call home.

Oleksandr Luhovskykh, 35, stares out the window in the stove-heated room where he lives. His family fled the city, leaving him alone with his cat, Tyusik.

With no electricity, a man must charge his mobile phone with a generator in the stairwell.

Another resident who still lives in Avdiyivka is 55-year-old medical doctor Vitaliy Sytnyk. Since October, he has been the only doctor still living in the city.

Despite Ukrainian officials' claims that Moscow will launch a major offensive with fresh troops, civilians like Stepanova refuse to leave.

Ukrainian flags fly above the "Avdiyivka is Ukraine" monument.