Shelling of Donetsk continued Friday as Ukrainian troops moved closer to the rebel stronghold.<br/> <br />Billows of smoke could be seen rising above the city.<br/> <br />Scared residents who'd spent most of the day hiding in basements, came outside when the shelling stopped.<br/> <br />One resident spoke of their fear:<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) VASILY, RESIDENT SAYING:<br/> <br />"You see, we are being shelled every day. It is very frightening and scary to stay at home."<br/> <br />Even though Ukrainian troops have been slowly encircling Donetsk, rebel leader, Alexander Zukharchenko, remains defiant.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) ALEXANDER ZUKHARCHENKO, DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC LEADER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Now we will lift the siege of Luhansk, I think by tonight the siege will be over, but I won't talk about the second phase of our counter attack."<br/> <br />Kiev's forces say they've taken control of Novosvitlitvka, blocking off the last route separatists could use between Luhansk and Donetsk, as they tighten the noose on the rebels.
