As the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, Kiev’s forces near the Kupiansk area remain upbeat, despite enemy efforts to break through their lines.
A member of the 92nd Brigade, known as “Koshmar”, said he was not worried because the Russians were working “chaotically”.
They (Russian forces) are trying to advance every day,” he says. “They are throwing a lot of 120 caliber shells, from a tank. But they work chaotically, that is. We have no losses, we repel their attacks more accurately.”
Meanwhile, in the Bakhmut region of eastern Ukraine, another unit is resisting Moscow’s forces, despite the freezing temperatures.
As the anniversary approaches, many expect a renewed attack from the former Soviet Union. But for ‘Virus’ and his ‘Witcher’ unit, deployed in the hotly contested Donetsk region, Russian attacks have never abated over the past twelve months.
Along the front line, especially in the city of Bakhmout, Russian forces have put Ukrainian troops under constant pressure, he says. But the Ukrainian line is holding firm and its soldiers are ready should the conflict escalate.
“If you ask me, the situation has not changed for our unit,” he confides. “Some people are talking about a new offensive, but the Russians are attacking every day,” he said.