Bombardment devastates Slovyansk as peace talks resume

Ukraine still holds Slovyansk, a city in its fortified defensive line in the eastern Donetsk region, but Russian bombardment has badly damaged it and made daily life increasingly dangerous, the BBC reports.

The city lies in the Donbas, the wider region from which Moscow has demanded a Ukrainian withdrawal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects voluntarily giving up territory that Ukraine still controls.

A BBC team accompanied by members of a Ukrainian drone unit found damaged buildings, rubble and broken glass during a visit before its report was published on 10 November. Most shops had closed, the broadcaster said, while roads covered with anti-drone netting offered no guarantee of safety.

Iryna, who works in one of the cafés still open, told the BBC she had lost her home but wanted to remain in the city where she was born. Another resident, Inga, said she feared the unknown and could not afford to leave or support herself elsewhere.

The BBC saw about a dozen civilians at an evacuation point the following morning. Alina Shyrko, who coordinates evacuations and also lives in Slovyansk, said conditions had deteriorated rapidly in recent months and that she too was thinking of leaving.

Meanwhile, Russian, Ukrainian and US delegations met in Abu Dhabi on 10 November for their first three-way talks since February. Zelenskyy said the discussions were largely about humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges, and also covered security guarantees. A further session was scheduled for the following day.