War in Ukraine. The horrors of war by Avdiivka

Russian forces have been attacking repeatedly around Avdiyivka, which had a prewar population of some 30,000.

As the vibrations from the shelling above continue, Halyna (center), 83, and Tetyana (left), 68, take turns massaging each other's hands to keep them warm. They live in this cold basement, which they share with about 20 other people.

Oleksandr Luhovskykh, 35, stares out the window in the stove-heated room where he lives. His family fled the city, leaving him alone with his cat, Tyusik.

Despite Ukrainian officials' claims that Moscow will launch a major offensive with fresh troops, civilians like Stepanova refuse to leave.

During a lull in shelling on February 8, Avdiyivka residents, such as 71-year-old Lyubov Stepanova (right), quickly collect much-needed firewood. Russian forces are slowly gaining ground in the Donestk region.