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In east Ukraine trench, soldiers dig in for 'total war'

Down a trench in Ukraine's Donbas region, Dima admits it took him time to adjust to the sounds of war, to living with fellow soldiers and to the flies everywhere.

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In east Ukraine trench, soldiers dig in for total war

Some rare military vehicles can be seen. A T-72 tank kicks up a cloud of stones and dust as it turns.

A few kilometres back, the brigade's headquarters are set up in an abandoned farm.

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In east Ukraine trench, soldiers dig in for total war

Chickens wander through the ruins, a cat sleeps on an abandoned chair and bees fly out from their untended hives.

A Tochka-U missile lies in the courtyard.

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In east Ukraine trench, soldiers dig in for total war

At the bottom of a small staircase, the officer in charge is at work in a 15-square-metre room full of maps and radios to communicate with the positions.

Three men lie in the darkness of the room, staring at their phones absent-mindedly.

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In east Ukraine trench, soldiers dig in for total war

Oleksandr, the officer, a jovial man of 34, says the situation is "under control".

"We have been here since the end of April and, after several attempts by the enemy to advance, we are the ones advancing, kilometre by kilometre."

The aim? "Total victory". Asked if he could envisage a ceasefire, he replies: "No, no, no".