DONETSK, Ukraine – A series of shells struck separatist-controlled Donetsk on Feb. 4, killing at least five people and wounding dozens of others. Agence France-Presse said at least 12 people were killed in various neighborhoods of Donetsk. At least two shells landed near hospital no. 27, killing three people in a district that borders Ukrainian-held territory.
Both sides blame each other for the deaths. Separatists have taken positions in residential areas, putting civilians at risk in the war.
“We try the best we can. But this violence needs to
stop!” screams a middle-aged woman in military camouflage clothes. She
works in the medical emergency team of hospital no. 24, where some of the
patients were transported.
“Am I a terrorist?!” she asks. “Why is (President Petro) Poroshenko
doing this? We are ordinary people. I work for nothing. I don’t get paid. And
what do I do? I save people’s lives while Poroshenko tries to kill them.”
In front of the ruined hospital no. 27, people gathered for yet another tragedy.
“I live just across the street with my mom!” shouts
15-year old Ruslan Loya, pointing his finger to an apartment complex that had
previously been hit.
As loud explosions are still heard, a group of armed Kremlin-backed separatists enter the building of
hospital no. 27 to see the damage inside. On the front yard of the hospital a
big crater can be seen where a mortar shell landed. Shrapnel caused extensive damage and left shattered glass spread out on the ground.
Six neighboring schools were hit, although there were no casualties reported there.
A separatist fighter named “Cobra” says: “Death is all over Donetsk. It’s a fight between brothers, but only one can
win. That will be us.”
Until then, violence and death will be part of daily life.
Stefan Huijboom is a freelance Dutch journalist.
