Checkpoints maintain divide in eastern Ukraine (VIDEO)

Ukrainians in Donetsk and Luhansk regions struggle to move on with their daily lives

Residents of Ukraine's occupied eastern regions are struggling to move around as checkpoints manned by Russian-backed militants maintain the divide in the area.

Korupciya.world reports citing  Ukraine Today

The militants, or terrorists as Kyiv calls them, check the documents and cars of those driving through the checkpoints on a daily basis. And although in many cases it does not take much time, the situation remains tense.

Georgy Rassoshenko, Luhansk Resident: "We have to drive. We have planted tomatoes and cucumbers. We have to water them and to take care of them. One can not avoid it. To be honest we are used to driving like this. What does it mean, scary? In case they are shooting the guys tell us we cannot go, it has happened once. We just turn and drive back home. And when they are not shooting we just drive past. I think that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow there will be peace and everything will be fine."

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The conflict in Luhansk and Donetsk regions began when Russia invaded in April 2014. Over a year later at least 6,500 people have been killed and milliions made homeless.

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A European-brokered ceasefire deal, which was reached in February 2015 has not been adhered to by Moscow and fears remain full-scale war could yet break-out again.