Anastasia Rokytna
War correspondent
Close to the frontline, the city in eastern Ukraine endures regular shelling on residential buildings and key infrastructure.
The city is at the centre of a war of attrition between Ukrainian and Russian forces, who have been trying to take it for over six months.
Locals say that the physical and emotional damage will take a long time to heal.
As forces approach the regional centre, they describe growing evidence of Russian atrocities.
The Ukrainian counter-offensive has regained swathes of territory, but towns are devastated following savage bombardment.
Nearly six months of Russian occupation have left behind a terrible legacy.