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Ukraine war: Images show devastated towns near front line

A destroyed Russian tank lies near a church in the city of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk

AFP A destroyed Russian tank near a church in the city of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk — A destroyed Russian tank lies near a church in the city of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk

As fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces continued in Ukraine's east, photographers were able to access areas on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the front line on Wednesday.

The images capture the stark reality of people's lives in a war zone.

Ruined trains sit in a railyard in Lyman, Donetsk

Getty Images Disused trains pictured in a rail yard in Lyman, Ukraine — Ruined trains sit in a railyard in Lyman, Donetsk

Another view of the same railyard shows the extent of the damage

Getty Images Damaged buildings and disused trains pictured in a rail yard in Lyman, Ukraine — Another view of the same railyard shows the extent of the damage

A woman called Maria looks at the damage done to the building she once lived in in Kramatorsk, Donetsk

Getty Images A woman looks at the buildings she used to live in until they were destroyed by a Russian rocket attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine — A woman called Maria looks at the damage done to the building she once lived in in Kramatorsk, Donetsk

The turret of a destroyed Russian tank pokes out from a swamp in the village of Shandryholove, Donetsk

AFP The turret of a destroyed Russian tank pokes out from a swamp in Shandryholove village, Donetsk — The turret of a destroyed Russian tank pokes out from a swamp in the village of Shandryholove, Donetsk

A man picks up personal belongings from the apartment he used to live in in Kramatorsk, Donetsk

Getty Images A man picks up personal belongings from the apartment he used to live in in Kramatorsk, Donetsk — A man picks up personal belongings from the apartment he used to live in in Kramatorsk, Donetsk

The ruined church of Saint Alexander Nevsky in the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv

AFP The outside of the damaged church of Saint Alexander Nevsky in Tsupivka village, Kharkiv — The ruined church of Saint Alexander Nevsky in the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv

The same church's heavily damaged interior

AFP The heavily damaged interior of the church of Saint Alexander Nevsky in the village of Tsupivka, Kharkiv — The same church's heavily damaged interior

Residents walk past destroyed buildings in the town of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk

AFP Residents walk past destroyed buildings in the town of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk — Residents walk past destroyed buildings in the town of Sviatohirsk, Donetsk

All photos subject to copyright.

Russia-Ukraine war