Ukrainian soldiers, civilians leave Debaltseve behind
Photojournalist Filip Warwick captured Ukrainian troops' retreating from the hotly contested town of Debaltseve after it fell to pro-Russian separatist forces.
Out of Debaltseve
Ukrainian soldiers felt a mixture of relief and distress as they withdrew from Debaltseve. "We couldn't even take all our troops," one said. "We were leaving as fast as we could on our APC, about 20 of us. At one point I saw a soldier waving from a trench. We had no way of taking him with us. We were going at full speed under fire from separatist tanks. I'll never forget that we left him there."
Tears of joy
Ukrainians soldiers hugged upon making it to back to Artemivsk (50 kilometers/30 miles from Debaltseve). Some had to walk through fields to avoid roads that had been mined. "They had surrounded us, and our ammunition was very low," said one. "We barely managed to escape. We were ambushed twice. Those who arrived this morning walked 15, 20 kilometers."
Making contact
On the outskirts of Artemivsk, a Ukrainian soldier sits at a bus stop while talking on the phone. Communication issues meant many had difficulty contacting other Ukrainian units, let alone family and friends.
Casualties mount
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday said six servicemen had been killed during the withdrawal from Debaltseve. At the Artemivsk morgue, personnel said 30 bodies had arrived that same afternoon, and they were expecting more.
Lost in thought
A young Ukrainian soldier contemplates as his colleagues replace the truck's front windscreen. Some Ukrainian soldiers have blamed inept military and political leadership for the retreat from Debaltseve.
Back to safety - for the moment
Ukrainian troops head towards Artemivsk after falling back from Debaltseve. Though regrouping will take place in the region and a new line of defense is being built, some believe pro-Russian separatists will continue their advance onto Artemivsk.
Internal refugees
Alexandra Ivanovna and her family stand near a Ukrainian checkpoint 35 kilometers from Debaltseve. They're going to Myronivka, a village just north of Debaltseve. They fled their home two weeks ago; now they want to go back to look after her parents. She has a child and a three-week-old grandson with her. "And where are we supposed to go?" she asked. "We'll probably sit it out in the basement."
Search for provisions
Luganska (10 kilometers north of Debaltseve) resident Gennadiy said shelling had taken place recently. He said many people had died here, and that nobody now lives on his street. He was told by Ukrainian soldiers food had been left at the damaged school. He doesn't want to leave his house, goat and cow. All his relatives have left the area. The little money he has is from selling his cow's milk.
Empty hallways
Ripped plastic polythene replaces shattered windows in the Luganska school building. A teacher walks in silence from room to room, grieving as she looks at the devastation.
Littered with debris
Children's drawings can be found in a few empty classrooms. The once-busy school has become an abandoned shell. Tins and cans left behind by retreating Ukrainian soldiers are scattered throughuht the building.
School's out
A ping-pong table stands in the middle of the school's sports hall. Many of the children who used to play here have fled the area.