The Ukrainian city of Mariupol sits 20 km from the front line between the Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian military. It is a city at peace, but close enough to hear the war. Fighting between the separatists and the Ukrainian military has escalated in recent months, and Mariupol residents can hear mortars and rocket fire when the wind blows from the east, from the front-line towns of Shyrokyne and Novotroitske.
Global Voices: The city of Mariupol, Ukraine’s line in the sand
Anti-aircraft gunners of Ukrainian forces take part in exercises not far from southeastern city of Mariupol, Donetsk region on July 7, 2015
