Fierce fighting continues in Debatlseve as allies decide whether to send arms

World Today

Fierce battle continues at the rail-junction town of Debatlseve, with rebels storming Ukrainian government-held positions.
CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reported this story from Eastern Ukraine.

It was another bloody day in Debaltseve.

A truck is carried seven civilians’ bodies of those killed in the besieged town.

The Ukrainian military has deployed new units to reinforce its beleaguered troops in Debaltseve.

Some are new recruits with little front-line experience.

They are told what to do in case there is shelling and are nervous to be on the battlefield.

It’s not just regular forces fighting here, there are also paramilitary groups.

Donbass Battalion, started as a volunteer group, is now part of Ukraine’s National Guard, they are hardened fighters who’ve taken part in some of the biggest battles in Eastern Ukraine.

But they have suffered heavy losses in the summer, during Kiev’s crushing defeat at Ilovaisk.

The separatists have named the battle for Debaltseve, ‘Ilovaisk 2.’

In the trenches, weary soldiers talk politics. They hope Kiev’s international allies will come to their aid.

“We were not ready for such a serious invasion. If America and Europe could give us military and political support this could be solved in a peaceful way,” Anatoly, Ukrainian Soldier said.

But some of Kiev’s allies are concerned that pouring more arms into this conflict will deepen it.

As the debate over whether allies should or should not to send arms to Ukraine continues, the international community scrambles to resolve the conflict and the battle here rages on. The seven civilian casualties are the latest names on a death list that grows longer by the day.