Shelling of Donetsk continued Friday as Ukrainian troops moved closer to the rebel stronghold.
Billows of smoke could be seen rising above the city.
Scared residents who'd spent most of the day hiding in basements, came outside when the shelling stopped.
One resident spoke of their fear:
(SOUNDBITE) VASILY, RESIDENT SAYING:
"You see, we are being shelled every day. It is very frightening and scary to stay at home."
Even though Ukrainian troops have been slowly encircling Donetsk, rebel leader, Alexander Zukharchenko, remains defiant.
(SOUNDBITE) ALEXANDER ZUKHARCHENKO, DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC LEADER, SAYING:
"Now we will lift the siege of Luhansk, I think by tonight the siege will be over, but I won't talk about the second phase of our counter attack."
Kiev's forces say they've taken control of Novosvitlitvka, blocking off the last route separatists could use between Luhansk and Donetsk, as they tighten the noose on the rebels.
