A CHRISTIAN charity is helping to rebuild Slovyansk, in eastern Ukraine, which has been occupied for three months by pro-Russian rebels. Pastors Volodymyr (left) and Petro Dudnik (centre) are working with Mykola Bohdanets, a manager for Mission Without Borders. The charity has given out 65 tonnes of food and essentials, as well as building materials, to residents who have been trapped in the city.

Mr Bohdanets said: "The situation is slowly changing for the better. The people of this town have been hit by the horror of war, and we were honoured to have the opportunity to support them."

Thousands fled the city when it was captured by rebels and declared part of the Donetsk People's Republic. Heavy fighting destroyed hundreds of homes in the town. The rebels later abandoned the town and fled to Donetsk, 90 miles south. A mass grave containing about 15 bodies has since been unearthed in the city.

Fighting between government forces and pro-Russian forces around Donetsk has intensified in recent weeks, and in the past week, the UN said, 6200 civilians had fled their homes