Ukrainians eking out a precarious existence in the shadow of a possible Russian invasion have got used to not knowing if they will survive from one day to the next.

Their village of Zaitseve lies half-abandoned, a kilometer from the front line that separates Ukrainian forces from Russian-backed separatists, with many of its homes damaged during more than seven years of on-off conflict.

"Here there was incoming fire," 47-year-old resident Maryna Serheyeva said as she walked across her courtyard, pointing at a damaged wall.