The CNN reporter arrived at the front in the Zaporizhia region, as close as he could to the battlefield. He showed the reality of war, in which death, fear, courage, patriotism and cruelty mix.
The West only wants to hear about the effects of brutal fighting in southern Ukraine. We send words of support and weapons there, but the Ukrainians are alone on the battlefield. They fight in the searing heat, covered in dust.
The counter-offensive advances towards Orichiwu. The Ukrainians took the initiative there. But they have to literally shoot their way through bullet after bullet. The losses incurred are visible to the naked eye. Tanks move through the thick dust to fire at Russian positions that seem increasingly threatened. The Ukrainian counter-offensive moves further south.
The 15th National Guard Brigade suffered significant casualties there but managed to break through. The fighting was incredibly fierce, but the mood of the Ukrainians is beginning to improve. Soldiers are expected to deliver results that would never be expected of NATO armies. The armament of the Ukrainians leaves much to be desired.
At the front, there is no time for self-appointed experts to say that the offensive is stalled. – They’re wrong. We are making progress. Everything depends on strengthening the enemy’s position. First of all, we do not underestimate them – assures Vitaly. How disregard for the Russians can end can be seen in Orichiva. This is the biggest problem of the Ukrainians – Russian air superiority and their half-ton bombs. As they fall, it doesn’t matter how deep you hide.
Ukrainian POWs returned home from Russian captivity Reuters
Medic hell
The tactics of the Russians make medics feel the most persecuted. Their quarters were moved underground because the last two field quarters had been bombed. They spend three hours a day on the surface, which looks like a waking nightmare. Painkillers are not enough. Injuries heal even at 160 kilometers per hour, on potholes. It’s a miracle anyone can survive this. These types of convoys are extremely dangerous. Grouped vehicles are visible to Russian fighters.
Medics also do not return from missions. On Friday, 33-year-old Andrei died. Colleagues buried him on Monday. – We were with him right away. The second team took his driver. It was the hardest of my missions. Take your friend’s body and take it to the morgue – admits Yevgeny, a medic. – His family, his mother, live in the occupied territories. They couldn’t even come to the funeral – adds Wład, a medic. Death stares them in the eye every day, but the medics try to deny it. – If the missile falls further than 100 meters from us, we do not pay attention to it. If closer, we burst into hysterical laughter, – says Yevgeny. – I repeat that we will die anyway, only later, and maybe we will live another 50 years – convinces Wład.
Main photo source: CNN