Trains no longer run to Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region - part of the Donbas claimed in its entirety by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. It's another sign of the steady Russian advance.
Instead, the last station is now on the western side of the Donetsk border. Here, civilians and soldiers wait for rides towards relative safety - their exit from a war-torn life.
Putin has grown more assertive following leaked US proposals to end the war, aligning with his maximalist demands. Conversely, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated territory remains the biggest challenge in ongoing US-led peace talks.
At the last station, soldier Andrii parts ways with his girlfriend Polina. He must return to the front lines, leaving their future uncertain.
Laughing off the notion of peace talks facilitated by Donald Trump's envoys, Andrii calls them just chatter, expressing doubts over any swift resolution to the conflict.
Skepticism runs deep among soldiers heading west for brief leaves, physically and mentally drained from continuous fighting. Russian forces now reportedly control about 85% of the Donbas region, having recently claimed victory in Pokrovsk, a strategic town.
Denys, a soldier exhausted from two years in service, concurs with his comrades, reiterating that no one will relinquish the Donbas, emphasizing, It's our land.
Despite facing overwhelming odds, the spirit remains unbroken. Yet, the prospect of ceding territory, vital for over a quarter million Ukrainians, weighs heavily on minds.
The exodus continues as civilians flee, with hundreds arriving daily in Lozova after escaping perilous conditions. Yevheniy and his family are among those transitioning to Kyiv, navigating threats from increasing drone activity.
While Yevheniy expresses doubt about the peace talks, others like Oleksandr find themselves weighing the potential of compromising for peace despite the gravity of the situation.
Inna, fleeing with her five children, also expresses a yearning for peace even if it means leaving her home for good.
Yet, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future. Soldiers like Serhii, who deserted his unit due to inadequate training and leadership, find themselves grappling with the thought of returning to fight. With rising desertion rates, a critical examination of the situation reflects disillusionment among troops.
