World sees Ukraine in turmoil , but reality is different , writes BBC 's Tim Lister . You would only know something was abnormal by approaching the regional government building , an 11-story slab of concrete surrounded by tires and festooned with Russian and Donbass flags and less than complimentary banners about NATO and U.S. President Barack Obama . Ukraine : Only one town in eastern Ukraine -- Slovyansk , is truly held by pro - Russian protesters . But most people go about their lives almost oblivious to the violence , he says . There seem to be more weapons in circulation , compared to two weeks ago , he says .
World sees Ukraine in turmoil , but reality is different , writes BBC 's Tim Lister . Ukraine : Only one town in eastern Ukraine -- Slovyansk , is truly held by pro - Russian protesters . But most people go about their lives almost oblivious to the violence , he says . There seem to be more weapons in circulation , compared to two weeks ago , he says .