Front-line Avdiivka, which repeatedly appears in the reports of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission as the "hottest spot" in the Donbass, is trying its best to live a peaceful life. This can be seen on well-groomed public gardens, carefully planted tulips, bleached curbs, fat cats, working shops, cafes, markets and ATMs. If the city is quiet, the nearness of the war is persistently reminded by the shrapnel "marks" on the walls of houses, icons-amulets on the windows and warning signs about mines.
