The war on east

The War in the East: A Multimedia Examination of Conflict in Donbass

The War in the East is a comprehensive multimedia project undertaken in January and February 2015. This project explores the intense situation in Ukraine's Donbass region, where Russian separatists, who refer to themselves as "Polite People," established the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. In response, the Ukrainian government launched an anti-terrorist operation in the region, leading to fierce military engagements throughout Donetsk.

The LENS2LENS team dedicated four weeks in the Donbass region, providing a balanced perspective on the conflict by documenting experiences from both sides.

By January 2015, hostilities in the Donbass region had escalated significantly, resuming with full intensity.

Dogs around a Kalashnikov assault rifle left on a bed at the base of the Azov military unit in Mariupol.

Donbass (abbreviation of Donetsk Basin) is an unofficial historical, economic and cultural region in Eastern Ukraine with the capital city of Donetsk.

Despite Donbas' highly developed industry and large deposits of ores and coal, large parts of the region have fallen into post-communist limbo.

A system of Ukrainian and separatist checkpoints has been created throughout the territory of the so-called "anti-terrorist operation" by Kiev.

Going through them takes time and involves checking documents, giving explanations, sometimes unpacking luggage, and examining the contents of mobile phones. Even locals need a special pass.

Despite Moscow's refusal to recognize the presence of its military in Donbass, it is no secret to the locals in Donetsk. Mercenaries from the former Soviet republics and the Russian Federation fight in the ranks of the separatists. On this soldier's cap you can make out a red pentacle with a hammer and sickle, and on his chest patch is the famous inscription "Polite People".

Rocket strikes in residential areas miles away from the front lines are not uncommon.

A man cleans the children's room of his home, where a rocket fell hours earlier. Most often rocket strikes on civilian buildings are the result of the used old and inaccurate weapon, as well as the inexperience of those operating it.

There are reports that both sides in the conflict are deploying military equipment in residential areas, hoping that they will not be attacked that way.

n December 2014, the government in Kyiv stopped paying pensions to residents of the Donetsk region. Many were left without their meager means anyway. People stand in long lines waiting for humanitarian aid, often rebuking the West.

Some of the locals chose to stay underground for months. They rely solely on humanitarian aid

A boy holds his pet in a bomb shelter in Donetsk.

An evening curfew of 22:00 has been introduced in Donetsk, the majority of establishments and shops do not work even during the day. However, there are exceptions. Places where different points of view can be heard. In the photo, men argue in a bar in Donetsk about the situation in Donbass region.

A civilian car hit by a missile. Donetsk, Ukraine.

On February 9, a powerful explosion occurred at 10 p.m. in a chemical plant near Donetsk. The separatists claimed that the site was attacked by a Ukrainian tactical missile "Point - U", but did not show evidence of this. The Ukrainians believe that the plant was mistakenly hit by a Russian Smerch anti-aircraft fire system. The enterprise has military production and ammunition disposal workshops. It is also possible that there was an accident with the explosion of shells and explosives piled up there, being prepared for arming the "militia". In the photo, a cadet in a bunker meters from the blast describes what happened hours ago as an attempt by the Ukrainian army to strike a civilian neighborhood in Donetsk.

A ballerina reads a book while stretching in the lobby of the Donetsk Opera and Ballet. Despite the fierce fighting in the region, the Donetsk Opera and Ballet does not stop working. All artists work for free.

One of the main Ukrainian forces fighting near Mariupol is the AZOV regiment.

The AZOV Regiment is a volunteer paramilitary formation formed by numerous far-right organizations.

A man is evacuated from the village of Shirokino, where fierce fighting is currently taking place.

Fighters from the Azov Battalion are occupying positions near the village of Shirokino, where fighting is taking place despite a temporary ceasefire.

A Ukrainian soldier helps an injured colleague to be transported for treatment.

AZOV's sign includes their symbol - Wolfsangel. A German heraldic sign depicting a wolf trap, widely used in Nazi Germany, which has been interpreted as the abbreviation IN "Ideja Nazii" - the idea of a Great Ukraine independent of anyone. On this picture, a volunteer from AZOV shows a scarf of his favorite team at the base of the formation not far from Mariupol.

Employees in the press center of the Azov battalion.

AZOV are also called "Black Corps" in response to the "little green men", an expression by which the Russian military was called in Crimea.

In the AZOV battalion are mostly young people. They undergo a one-month training, after which they take part in combat operations.

Students from the oldest high school in Mariupol conduct a response exercise during a bombing.

An elderly woman looks out the window of her home near the center of Mariupol.

The war on east

Writer

Georgi Totev

Photographer

Georgi Kozhuharov