Residents of Donetsk wake to the sound of shelling.
Most are taking no chances when it come to their safety... seeking shelter in a basement near the city center.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DONETSK RESIDENT, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING:
"We are hiding from the bombs. Why are we here? Shells are flying over our heads, here and there. People are dying. How many people from Donetsk have already died? It's horrible."
And while residents hide below ground, the battle for control of Donetsk above ground continues, with Ukrainian forces claiming significant gains over pro-Russian separatists.
Spokesman Andriy Lysenko says the army is now ready to retake Donetsk and the city of Luhansk.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE COUNCIL SPOKESPERSON, ANDRIY LYSENKO, SAYING:
"We also once again call on civilians to urgently leave those cities (Donetsk and Luhansk), if possible, because an operation will be held there to liberate those cities a
