Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kharkiv - 20 Sep 2022
A Ukrainian sapper stands in front of the stele reading 'Donetsk Oblast' on a symbolic border between the Kharkiv and Donetsk areas and next to a sign that reads 'Danger mines', Ukraine, 20 September 2022 amid Russia's military invasion. The Ukrainian army pushed Russian troops from occupied territory in the northeast of the country in a counterattack. Kharkiv and surrounding areas have been the target of heavy shelling since February 2022, when Russian troops entered Ukraine starting a conflict that has provoked destruction and a humanitarian crisis. Leaders of the Russian backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) and the region of Kherson announced on 20 Septembers, plans to hold a referendum for their territories to join the Russian Federation.