Blood and shattered glass

The Ukrainian government continued on Tuesday (27.05.2014) with what it calls its "counter-terror operation" against the separatist groups representing the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Smoke was seen rising above the airport in the morning, and the sounds heard seemed to confirm reports of a skirmish just outside the airport perimeter.

As the skirmish intensified local inhabitants with foreign journalists ran for cover, getting away fast from the main airport approach roads. A few moments earlier one of the locals (pictured walking in front) said he saw a civilian vehicle targeted by a sniper.

With the threat of snipers and cross-fire from both sides, the main road leading to the airport was deserted on Tuesday. The only signs of life were locals topping up on their shopping, because of fears of food and supplies running out as the airport remained closed.

Orthodox icons are often seen in vehicles in Ukraine. They are meant to protect the driver and the passengers and to provide safe conduct during their journey. A member of the public recovers a damaged icon from the empty truck and holds it up to the camera.

The truck was transporting injured fighters from the airport when either a Ukranian helicpoter air strike or ambush resulted in the bloodshed. The back of the truck was ripped apart and its metal parts strewn over a 30 meter radius.

Blood stains mark where separatists tried to pull their companions to safety into the nearby woods. Other such stains can be seen around the vehicle, suggesting many separatists sustained heavy injuries.

The vehicle's front cabin is peppered with bullet holes. The way it is parked suggests the separatists were caught by surprise and had no time to find cover in the line of trees that run parallel to the road.

The cabin door is marked with blood stained fingers and a number of bullet holes. The scene may be quiet but the amount of blood around bears witness to heavy losses. It has been reported that at least 30 separatists died in Monday's skirmishes.

The orange and black ribbon of St. George is ubiquitous among pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Soaked in blood, it lies next to two empty bullet cartridges on the heavily blood-soiled road.

A balaklava, bandages, a cigarette, a syringe and a carnation lie on the blood and oil stained road. The area is now empty, but isolated shots still ring out in the vicinity of the airport on Tuesday. Though not as intense as on Monday, both sides are limiting movement to avoid further casualties. Tensions remain, even as this flower left among the debris seems to appeal for a peaceful resolution.