INTERNATIONAL UKRAINE ANTI-FASCIST SOLIDARITY

by Ceyda Karan As Russia's special operation in Ukraine continues, life is returning to normal in areas under the control of Russian and Donbass forces. Sputnik correspondent Ceyda Karan shares her impression of the situation from the scene.      I went to Donbass to see the results on the ground of the Special Military Operation in the region, something that is in many ways considered to be a turning point for Russia.      The military operation brought the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, which broke away from the central government after the 2014 coup in Kiev, the constitutional borders they had been waiting eight years for.      In 2018, I had the chance to visit the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, but at the time they only controlled parts of their constitutional borders. This time I am observing the development of events in Donbass under different circumstances, against the backdrop of Russia's special military operation.      During my trip here in

by Alexandra Wigreiser a Russian journalist in Mariupol The term ‘a return to peace’ may be a cliché, but it's the simplest way of putting things. Back in April, when it became quieter in Mariupol, the first sign of something approaching normality was the emergence of traders and money changers. Humanitarian aid had already come in, and people were selling unnecessary things to cover their essentials.      Soon, the market opened, and products began to be imported. At the end of that month, lilacs bloomed. A week later, young men had broken off all the branches within reach, for bouquets.      Their smiling girlfriends accepted the flowers and took their beaus by the arm. Every day, there were more and more couples like this strolling between ruined buildings amidst the sound of explosions.      When water became more available, the girls washed and let down their hair, which they had previously hidden under shawls and hats. Their clothes became cleaner, and then more stylish.