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Ukraine’s forgotten ceasefire

Poorly equipped mobilised forces continue holding frontlines against rebel forces in Eastern Ukraine.

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Luganskoje lies at the end of a 19km stretch of highway out of Debaltseve, the key eastern railway town now under rebel control that saw heavy fighting back in February 2015. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
By Ioana Moldovan
Published On 14 Jul 201514 Jul 2015
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Luganskoje, Ukraine – “My friend is dead”, said Oleksandr, a young light-haired Ukrainian soldier looking at the green stuffed animal attached to his bullet proof vest. The toy looked like it had been through a lot, but then so did the vest.

His equipment, however, looked like something from a decades-old war movie, than actual present-day combat gear.

This war is costing Ukraine more than a country already confronted with economic recession can afford. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly asked for international support and the reality on the ground shows that the country is struggling in the face of this unexpected war.

Approaching the frontline, private cars on the road become less frequent and only military vehicles can be seen passing by.

The asphalt is so damaged from the tanks that, what was once a modern road, looks and feels like a bumpy country road at best. The checkpoints become more numerous and the soldiers, less equipped.

Due to the escalation of the war, Ukraine has instituted a partial mobilisation to fill the gaps in its armed forces. On June 18, the Ukrainian government officially began mobilising its sixth and final wave of troops for active duty in the war in Eastern Ukraine.

Very few of them are professional military men.

“I want my year to be over and to go back home. I am a lawyer, not a soldier,” said 24-year-old Sergei. 

Despite the ceasefire mandated by the Minsk II agreement, signed this year in February, fire along the frontline does not seem to have ceased at all. The Ukrainian army continues to lose soldiers on a daily bases. 

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The highway leading to Luganskoje is so damaged by tanks that it resembles a bumpy country road. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Ukrainian soldiers have been stationed at the checkpoint in Luganskoje, Donetsk Oblast, the last Ukrainian military checkpoint before the frontline. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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A warehouse next to the checkpoint serves as the kitchen and food storage area for the Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Luganskoje. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Most of the soldiers in Luganskoje have been mobilised to serve at the front, but only few of them are professional military personnel. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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At the checkpoint in Luganskoje, the soldiers are poorly equipped with military gear that looks like props from a decades-old war film. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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The soldiers prepare belyash - deep-fried yeast dough and minced meat pastry. They joke that it is actually 'dog meat' because the army is too poor to provide proper food. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Due to the escalation of the conflict, Ukraine has instated a partial mobilisation to fill the gaps in its armed forces. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Increased military spending to ensure supplies and better equipment, although needed in the field, will further damage an already crippled economy. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Despite the ceasefire mandated by the February Minsk II agreement, fire along the frontline does not seem to have ceased at all. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]


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