Though the United States is 6,000 miles from this corner of eastern Ukraine, many here are following Tuesday’s presidential election closely.
“I can’t stop thinking about it,” says Volodymyr Maruch, a 45-year-old miner, as he hoists three large containers of water into his car. “What will it mean for our country’s destiny?”
Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine. Since Russian forces invaded in February 2022, the U.S. has been Ukraine’s biggest single supporter, providing more $175 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid under President Biden.
“The new president of the United States can either strengthen support for Ukraine or weaken it,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters this week. “Weakening support will allow Russia to occupy more land."