For months, pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces have fought for control of towns and cities across Ukraine’s industrial east, in a conflict that has claimed the lives of over 3,000 people.
The two sides exchanged prisoners-of-war in Donetsk under the terms of a ceasefire, despite the fact that fighting continued, and as the sound of artillery fire resonated in the background.
. LUHANSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Members of the Ukrainian government forces walk past a Ukrainian serviceman after they were released.
The death toll continues to spiral despite the ceasefire, which makes up part of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s peace plan.
Poroshenko, however, justified his plan, arguing it allowed the return home of Ukrainian prisoners “who had been undergoing torture.”
He added that priorities were to get all Russian troops, which have already been withdrawing, out of the country.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Pro-Russian prisoners-of-war sit inside a bus as they wait to be released.
Moscow denies sending troops to Ukraine or arming the rebels, despite what Kiev and Western governments say is overwhelming evidence of direct Russian involvement.
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. LUHANSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
A Ukrainian serviceman sits at a checkpoint during the prisoners-of-war exchange.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Others secure the area.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Pro-Russian rebels, who are prisoners-of-war, stand along a road as they wait to be released.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Others wait front of a bus.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Pro-Russian rebels are silhouetted while sitting inside a bus.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
A driver sits inside his vehicle.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Ukrainians, who had been captured by pro-Russian rebels, are seen through a bus window after their release.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
A Ukrainian serviceman instructs a pro-Russian rebel.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Freed Ukrainian prisoners walk along a road.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Others react next to an Ukrainian soldier.
. DONETSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Ukrainian prisoners-of-war stand with a soldier after they were freed.
. LUHANSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Released Ukrainian government forces walk along a road.
. LUHANSK, Ukraine. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
A Ukrainian serviceman sits at a checkpoint during the prisoner swap.