Ukraine army recaptures town near rebel stronghold

2014-08-14 12

Ukrainian Army tanks in the eastern city of Uglegorsk; the national flag waving high.

The army recaptured the town on Tuesday from pro-Russian separatists, and began to close in on the rebel stronghold of Dontesk, only a half hour's drive away.

Residents of Uglegorsk say at least five civilians were killed in the operation.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UGLEGORSK RESIDENT, SAYING:

"There was a massive shooting. It seemed like there weren't many fighters, but the storming was horrid."

And apart from the death toll, it left behind enormous damage.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UGLEGORSK RESIDENT, SAYING:

"There's no electricity, nothing. No windows, no roof. The winter is close, what are we to do? "

As government forces tighten the noose on separatists, shelling hit the center of Donetsk for the first time in the conflict, killing one person.

This, as a large Russian aid convoy rumbles towards the border, worrying the central government in Kiev.