Residents returning to Kharkiv town survey damage

The Ukrainian town of Barvinkove, in the Kharkiv region, has suffered relentless daily shelling attacks - but despite this people have begun to return home after a mass evacuation organized two months ago.

The town's mayor Oleksandr Balo, told The Associated Press he wishes that they wouldn't.

"People come back, unfortunately. And I warn on social networks that it is dangerous, but I have what I have," he said.

One of the blasts was audible on AP footage at around 4pm (1400 GMT) local time in the centre of Barvinkove.

Two-thirds of the town has been destroyed by shelling and signs of devastation are all around.

Pieces of burnt books lie in the ruins of what was presumably the city's former library.

Local resident Mykola said he came back because other towns are just as bad.

"Where to go? Name at least one safe place here, where they don't shoot," he said.

But his decision is a dangerous gamble. His neighbour was recently killed in an airstrike and the bombings have shown no sign of letting up.