ANDRIIVKA, Ukraine—The Russian bullet struck the sergeant just above the left ear. The leader of the Ukrainian platoon was down. Headquarters radioed a battlefield promotion to the private who had called him “brother”—a man known as Courier. Courier knew the platoon’s orders were to move forward through the forest, on the road to Bakhmut. He
Ukrainian servicemen of the 3rd Assault Brigade monitor and coordinate as units move towards Andriivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Sept. 5, 2023. The village of Andriivka is significant largely because it’s on the road to the Russian-held city of Bakhmut.
The sergeant, Gagarin, and other injured soldiers could only be evacuated after dark, because the Russians were also hunting downed Ukrainians. Days later, as he prepared for Gagarin’s funeral, Courier predicted his own future, his pale eyes unfocused. In an interview with “60 Minutes,” Zelenskyy acknowledged the counteroffensive was slow, but added, “It is important that we are moving forward every day and liberating territory.” A study earlier this month by the Royal United Service Institute, a London-based think-tank, found that Ukrainian forces are averaging 700-1,200 meters of progress every five days. That gives Russian forces time to dig in and especially to mine territory as they pull back.
The questions now facing them were the same ones facing their country: Would they succeed, and at what cost? Maybe the author was the Russian whose body Courier propped up to protect himself from incoming fire. Or maybe he was one of the Russians who had shot Gagarin and been killed in turn a few minutes later. Courier didn’t know.Shepherd, who was wounded in the leg in the morning and had to wait hours for evacuation from the battlefield, was a mask of pain. Chapa too. A grenade struck Spaniard’s helmet, and the resulting head injury would leave him helpless.
Gagarin’s mother sought out Courier, who was among the last to see her son alive. But he finds it hard to talk to civilians these days. And yet he did not want to return to the strip of forest leading to Andriivka. His commanders ordered him to take 10 days’ leave, a break for a fighter whose anguish they sensed despite his outward calm. He would take the time to go fishing and clear his head.On the day of the funeral, September 13, any man whole enough to fight was in the forest, including another sergeant in the platoon, Fedya.
The day was a blur. The Ukrainians pummeled the tiny village with artillery and then threw a smokescreen into its main street. Russian artillery hit retreating and surrendering Russian soldiers, whose bodies lay face down or curled on their sides. The last hundred meters was a mix of blood, metal, trash, spent cartridges and shredded armor.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Ukrainian forces have broken through in Verbove, top general saysThe general leading Ukraine’s counteroffensive along the southern front line says his forces have broken through in Verbove – and predicts an even bigger breakthrough to come.
Baca lebih lajut »
Pentagon warns a government shutdown could disrupt US military aid to UkraineUS military aid and training for Ukrainian forces could be disrupted in the event of a US government shutdown, a Pentagon spokesperson warns.
Baca lebih lajut »
In Washington, Zelenskiy courts Congress, Biden on military aidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanks President Joe Biden for a new $325 million military aid package of weaponry and air defenses, saying 'it has exactly what our soldiers need now'
Baca lebih lajut »
Ukraine's Zelensky in Canada to shore up supportUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Friday, seeking to rally support for his country as it fights the Russian invasion.
Baca lebih lajut »
Zelensky wins Biden support but faces skepticsWAshington, DC—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington Thursday (Friday in Manila) to appeal for help fighting Russia, winning warm words
Baca lebih lajut »
Zelensky wins Biden support but faces US skepticsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington Thursday to appeal for help fighting Russia, winning warm words of support and weapons from Joe Biden but confronting skeptical Republicans who want to cut off aid.
Baca lebih lajut »