Pierre Crom

  • Ukraine
    • Winter 2025, the betrayal
    • Year 11, the long war
    • Winter 2023-24
    • Zaporizhzhia
    • [TSE NASHE]
    • O.C. South
    • Russia invades Ukraine further
    • winter 2016
    • summer 2015
    • spring 2015
    • winter 2015
    • summer 2014
    • MH17
    • Donbas 2014
    • Crimea 2014
  • War in Ukraine
  • War in Ukraine on Google Maps
  • Subjectio
  • Subjectio on Google Maps
  • Amaranthine
  • Anticamera /antechamber/
  • R.S.
  • Contact
  • Biography
  • Aesthetics

During the summer of 2014 the conflict in southeast Ukraine escalated. The Ukrainian army tried to regain control of the areas previously taken over by Russia-backed militia groups. The city of Sloviansk was taken back by Ukraine. Russia-backed fighters from the liberated areas moved to Donetsk and other places where the rebels still had control.

The Ukrainians closed in on the city of Donetsk, one of the rebel strongholds. Artillery barrages fired by both sides killed civilians caught up in the crossfire. Buildings, neighbourhoods and a high-security prison were damaged by the shelling. As fighting intensified, more people fled the area.

Meanwhile, the pro-Russian groups also tried to claim back territory. Supported by pro-Russian volunteers, soldiers, weapons and tanks from Russia, they regained control of the border areas. With both sides firmly engaged in the fighting, the conflict moved ever closer to the edge of a full-scale war.

Vuhlehirsk, August 13, 2014 - Children gather in the street soon after Ukrainian forces regained control of Vuhlehirsk. © Pierre Crom

Dyakove, August 2,0 2014 - Russian-backed military commander of Rovenky, Pavel Ilitsch, and his girlfriend, tour the newly seized Ukrainian territories. © Pierre Crom

Donetsk, August 22, 2014 - The yard of a residential building lies in ruins following a devastating artillery shelling. © Pierre Crom