YASYNUVATA, Ukraine – With Russian-backed separatist leaders saying they don’t want to talk peace anymore, both sides are heading into the New Year accusing the other of preparing for a new offensive.

The stalemate is evident in the Donetsk Oblast city of Yasynuvata, which lost many of its 34,000 residents to the war. In August, Ukrainian forces secured Yasynuvata only to lose it again.