Sergiy Takhmazov

NOVOLUHANSKE, Ukraine (Reuters – Zoya, a senior citizen, hid beneath the stairs early Tuesday morning as new shelling ravaged her home close to the frontline. It was only hours after Russia announced that Russia would recognize two separatist regions as independent.

“Around 5 a.m. “I was home at the time and moved from the living area to the kitchen. It shook everything and all glass flew about when it struck. “I hid underneath the stairs. It was terrible, just horrendous,” the 68 year-old said.

Asked what she thought of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s move, she shrugged: “I don’t expect anything good … “I’m fed up…For eight years we haven’t lived, we just exist.”

Novoluhanske her hometown is situated in Ukraine’s Donetsk, but it’s not far from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. This republic has recently been acknowledged by Russia alongside the neighboring Luhansk People’s Republic.

Although the Ukrainian government forces retook the city from Moscow-backed separatists, fighting has been ongoing since 2014. Locals are still trapped inside their homes and have no choice but to flee.

Guards stationed in earthen trenches around the village fear that separatists now fully supported by Russian troops will make a renewed attempt to take over the town.

“We are ready to stop an incursion by the Russian Federation, including the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s republics. I don’t know what the scale will be, it depends on how big the army will be,” said Oleksiy, a soldier.

Oleksandr Ryabov (a soldier) expressed concern about the possibility that separatists might now attempt to seize the Donetsk or Luhansk areas – which include Novoluhanske, still under control by the Ukrainian government forces.

He stated that “this possibility concerns me. It would then be territories contested, and Ukraine must defend those areas by military means.”

Oleksiy, another pensioner, had little faith in peace being restored.

“I’m very concerned. He said that he was very worried.