Ukraine faces economic hardship across separatist-controlled eastern region

Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk is struggling with soaring prices seven years after it was seized by Russian-backed separatists.
And there is little relief in sight for residents, with tensions between Ukraine and Russia at an all-time high.
In February 2015, the Ukrainian government and the pro-Russia separatists signed a deal in the Belarusian capital, called the Minsk II agreement.
The deal aimed at achieving a political solution and lasting peace.
But seven years later, not even one of the 13 articles in it has been fully implemented.
Many Ukrainian politicians complain the agreement is too weighted in the Russia-backed separatists' favour, which means it could give Moscow an even bigger hand in Ukrainian affairs.
Last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wanted to change the Minsk II agreement.
International backers insist the deal must be honoured by both sides.
And no political agreement means the economy cannot recover.
But the separatists' government says the economy is gradually improving, and Russian investment is helping.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

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