Published on: 01/13/2023 – 00:17
He is a direct witness to Russian methods of combat, particularly the Wagner paramilitary group. Andrii, a member of a reconnaissance unit of the Ukrainian army, tells our special envoys about the violence of the fighting around Bakhmout in Donbass.
From our special correspondents in Kramatorsk,
Verification is necessary before the interview: “Commander, what am I saying? That I’m the leader of a reconnaissance group? Sorry I’m asking because you never know what’s secret and what’s not. »
Before Bakhmout, Andrii was on the southern front in Kherson. “Over there we had regular forces and the commanders were trying to go easy on their men. They did not wave them like logs in the fire. Here they throw her to death. The soldiers themselves know they will die. They just don’t know if it’s going to be a Ukrainian bullet or one of the Russians they’ve got behind them that’s preventing them from coming back. »
► Also read: Ukraine: In the Donbass, the consequences of the cold for the war
“They walk on the bodies of their comrades”
He and his men go to meet the enemy. Hundreds of Russian soldiers, created by the Wagner group and mostly recruited from the prisons, can now be seen at work on the front lines.
“It’s like that movie, War Z or World War Z, I don’t know. Zombies are at war. It’s exactly the same. They step on the bodies of their comrades. It’s very interesting. They do drugs for me. It’s not alcohol, it’s different. Because they are not afraid. They don’t care about being killed. They only break down when they can no longer walk at all. »
► Also read: Ukraine: In Soledar a front that is far from frozen
“We will win, that’s for sure. At what price remains to be seen »
After months of harassment, the young man is asked how he feels. Even if it’s written all over his face. “Fatigue. Fatigue. I mean like everyone here. It’s pretty hard. What to do ? We are very motivated. You have to hold. We will win for sure. At what price remains to be seen. How many people will have to die? But I have no doubts about the next win. Maybe not this month or next, but soon. »
The Ukrainians, aware that they cannot kill that many men, are demanding more equipment, armored vehicles, artillery and, for Andrii’s group, more reconnaissance drones.
► Also read: Ukraine: Thanks to humanitarian aid, civilians still live in the city of Bakhmout