Frontline town in Ukraine gets breathing space after worst shelling in months

Emergencies Ministry members rest as they repair a building which was damaged during fighting between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists in the government-held industrial town of Avdiyivka, Ukraine, February 6, 2017. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

AVDIYIVKA, Ukraine (Reuters) - A week-long surge in violence in and around the government-held town of Avdiyivka in eastern Ukraine appeared to be winding down on Monday, as schools reopened and power and water supplies resumed following the worst clashes in months.

Last week aid agencies warned of a looming humanitarian crisis after heavy shelling between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia separatists cut off power and water supplies to tens of thousands on both sides of the front line.