I live in the occupied territory in Donetsk Oblast, in the city of Makiivka. I lived there before the war broke out.  When the war started, I heard the sound of exploding shells as they were fired.    Sitting in the kitchen in the evenings, my dad saw flashes from guns more than once.   

When the shelling became extensive, I went to Komsomolsk with my mother and sister.    Father stayed in Makiivka. I came back a year later. Shooting sounds could still be heard, however, they were much rare. Now I live in Makiivka.