Inside a Republic of Rebels

The anthem “Silent night” fills the hotel lobby. In the distance, the hollow rumblings of bombing can be heard. It is Christmas in Donetsk, the stronghold in the rebel held territory of Eastern-Ukraine. Ever since the Russian backed rebels took control over this territory in the beginning of 2014, more than 10.000 people have been killed and nearly two million people have been displaced. Shops are closed, much of the industry has been shut down and the inhabitants that haven’t taken up arms are left without a job. The society has come to a standstill, in a war between east and west – between culture and power. 23-year-old Dima traveled from Russia to become a mercenary in Donetsk, fighting for the rebels. The rebel state has now become his new home and he wishes to get married there. And he has no plans of changing his profession. – I will always be a soldier, Dima says.