Ukrainians on frontline expect worst after Putin move

A Ukrainian service member stands on the front line near the city of Novoluhanske in the Donetsk region, Ukraine February 22, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

NOVOLUHANSKE, Ukraine (Reuters) - Zoya, a pensioner, cowered under the stairs in the early hours of Tuesday as fresh shelling shook her home near the frontline of the war in eastern Ukraine, just hours after Russia said it would recognise two breakaway regions as independent.

"Around 5 a.m. I was at home and went from the living room to the kitchen. When it impacted, everything shook, glass flew around... I hid under the stairs, it was horrible, just horrible," said the 68-year-old.