Ukraine-Russia Stand-off: Years of fighting is issue in Ukraine presidential run-off

World
Europe

02:48

Turning now to election in Ukraine. As the country heads to polls again for a presidential run-off vote, eastern Ukraine's conflict with Russia factors into both candidates' political platforms. Years of fighting is a suspended question mark for civilians and soldiers living and serving on the front lines who have had enough and want a plan for ending war and rebuilding. CGTN's Stephanie Freid brings us this report from eastern Ukraine.

Across the field - a few hundred meters away, a Russian position.

There's a sniper on the other side, who took out a member of the 93rd brigade a few weeks ago.

The trenches and bunkers marking this Eastern Ukraine frontline splits this town down the middle. Civilians living in the path of incoming fire call it "the grey zone" - no one knows when the fighting will end.

SLAVA 93RD BRIGADE "Last Friday they fired RPG's and machine guns at civilians walking around town. One person was hit - he lived but he's still in the hospital."

Ukraine's stand-off with Russia in the country's east started in 2014 after mass, anti-government protests gripped the capital Kiev.

The battle for control of key cities east of the Dnieper River destroyed towns and villages and, according to Ukraine's government, displaced a million and a half people.

Five years after heavy artillery stopped raining down here, promises to rebuild remain unfulfilled. The government estimates restoration costs at more than fifty billion dollars.

SVETLANA INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSON "We hang onto hope. They say they'll restore our house - That's why I keep coming back. It's better to live in your own home than as a renter somewhere else."

STEPHANIE FREID AVDEYEVKA, UKRAINE "During his tenure, President Petro Poroshenko has boosted military spending to about 3 billion dollars and increased number of personnel to about a quarter of a million. For that soldiers are grateful. But they're tired of trench warfare."

President Poroshenko hasn't outlined a plan for ending the stand-off. His political opponent favors direct negotiations with Moscow.

A Western brokered ceasefire that's been in place for years hasn't been adhered to. Civilians make up a quarter of the thirteen thousand Ukrainians killed in fighting since 2014.

Stephanie Freid, CGTN, Avdeyevka, Ukraine.