Journalists want to see the battles; the Ukrainian army did not want to know anything. Give and receive, it organizes visits to the trenches of the Donbass and, in return, relies on journalists to show that they are ready to go all the way: success, nothing less.
We found ourselves facing Donetsk, the capital of the self-proclaimed Russian separatist republic, which has crossed a front line since 2014. You have to walk far, follow a maze of trenches to reach one of the companies of the Samate battalion, of good reputation, who showed us his positions forward.
They were equipped with a heavy machine gun made in Russia that was used several times a week, if necessary, when the Russians were advancing. Obviously, the army did not want to take journalists to exposed areas, but intended to show them that its soldiers were well -equipped professionals and, above all, ready for anything, determined. .
At the time of our passage, modern weapons had just arrived, gifts from Germany. Ukraine now recognizes that enough is being provided. Another newly delivered weapon is from Sweden, very accurate against tanks and easy to use.
The idea is that Russia’s tanks end up like this, a souvenir from 2014, which happens often. Our guide to the trenches was called Irina. He estimates that Russians are fighting 10 on 1 because there are more Ukrainians methods and faster.
The only thing left is to go on the offensive. Not impossible, Irina said.
In the back, grief
Behind the front line, ghost towns: Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, Sloviansk.
Although most residents left before the offensive, services, such as public transport, continued to function. The park service still takes care of the flower beds. Some rare stores offer the lowest cost.
Those who stay are scared, of course. They risk becoming besieged Mariupols or Irpins, but of course dream better, like kyiv, the capital, saved by their army.
Source: Radio-Canada
