Ukraine rebel leaders prepare for more fighting despite ceasefire

World Today

With a ceasefire holding for almost two months in Ukraine a sense of normality has returned to Donetsk, but reminders of the ongoing conflict between Kiev’s forces and pro-Russian rebels are everywhere. CCTV America’s Kate Parkinson reports.

Rebel fighters don’t think the ceasefire will hold, and they are sure Ukraine wants to reclaim the rebel-held territories and is using the lull in fighting to reinforce government troops.

Rebel commanders said when the fighting resumes, it will be much worse than before.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has not been officially declared a war, but it certainly feels like one. As rebels clean and repair their weapons, they will continue to defend their land.

However, for some people, more fighting is the last thing they want. Many of the 100 or so people who live in a basement after they fled their homes because of the fighting said even if the fighting ends, many of them have no homes to go back to.

The elections offer little hope. They only thing they hope from the election is peace.

“I would vote for peace, only for peace. I don’t want anything else in my life. Only peace. Only peace, that’s it. Only not to have the war. I don’t want this war, especially in the place I used to live. Over there there is heavy fighting, they are fighting all day and all night,” Donetsk resident, Luba said.

Rebel candidates are making a lot of promises, but one thing they can’t promise is peace.