Amid tension between Ukraine and Russia, with the latter accused of planning to invade, one resident of contested eastern Ukraine gave her take on the crisis.

This interview with pensioner Nadezhda was conducted on 20 January in the Donetsk region.

In response to the question 'Russia and Ukraine are in a tense state these days. Does this affect your daily life?' she says [0:07-0:15]: I try to turn off the TV and not listen. Because then I can't sleep.

After being asked 'Are you worried that a war might happen between Russia and Ukraine? Have you done any preparation for it?' [0:35-0:49] she responds:"But what do you think it should be? Of course, I think it won't. There is no plan, I believe that common sense will prevail, you know."

Asked 'How do you see the current Ukraine-Russia crisis? What’s your opinion on Russia? And what do you think about the EU and the US?' [1:00-1:27]: "If you have a fight with your neighbours, you have to put up with it. Find a common language. No, I'm not interested in Europe and the USA, Ukraine and Russia are enough for me. I do not know who they should be, without any brains at all, in order not to solve this issue. What will America do for us? We have to do it ourselves. Find a common language and talk."

This footage was filmed and produced 20 January 2022.

The conflict between the Ukrainian and Russian sides has noticeably escalated since 2021. Since 2014, the probability of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is the highest possible at the moment. A huge amount of Russian military equipment has been transferred to the borders with Ukraine, both on the territory of the Russian Federation and on the territory of neighboring Belarus. Many experts admit the real possibility of an escalation of the military conflict between the parties, despite the fact that Vladimir Putin denies the likelihood of an escalation of the situation.

This video demonstrates Donetsk region shots as well as the opinion of Nadezhda, a pensioner from the Donetsk region, regarding this conflict:

[question] Russia and Ukraine are in a tense state these days. Does this affect your daily life?
[0:07-0:15]
– I try to turn off the TV and not listen. Because then I can't sleep.

[question] Are you worried that a war might happen between Russia and Ukraine? Have you done any preparation for it?
[0:35-0:49]
– But what do you think it should be? Of course, I think it won't. There is no plan, I believe that common sense will prevail, you know.

[question] How do you see the current Ukraine-Russia crisis? What’s your opinion on Russia? And what do you think about the EU and the US?
[1:00-1:27]
– If you have a fight with your neighbors, you have to put up with it. Find a common language. No, I'm not interested in Europe and the USA, Ukraine and Russia are enough for me. I do not know who they should be, without any brains at all, in order not to solve this issue. What will America do for us? We have to do it ourselves. Find a common language and talk.