Ukraine's Defense Struggles Against Advancing Russian Troops
In the embattled regions of Ukraine, the nation's defense lines face severe challenges as Russian forces continue their relentless offensive. We venture towards the besieged village of Liptsy, where Russian troops have breached the border north of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
Our escort consists of members of Ukraine's National Guard, the latest reinforcements tasked with halting this recent Russian advance. These battle-hardened soldiers have been redeployed from the fierce fighting in the east without respite.
Amidst the thunderous artillery, we arrive at their position merely a mile from the front lines. Taking shelter in a dank basement bunker, a group of soldiers vigilantly monitor a drone feed, directing Ukrainian artillery fire towards a tree line.
Andrii, a soldier, describes the situation as "dynamic, tense, and hard to predict." He acknowledges the challenges of integrating with existing defense lines but understands the significance of their mission – to thwart Russian tactics aimed at diverting Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
In the fading light, the soldiers employ thermal imaging cameras to track enemy movements. Our departure is hastened by the proximity of enemy forces.
At a field hospital behind the front lines, Ukrainian medics treat casualties like Viktor, who lost fingers in a mortar explosion. Despite his injuries, Viktor's concern lies with his comrades, his "second family," and his eagerness to rejoin them.
The Russians, too, have suffered substantial casualties, but their numerical superiority, with over 30,000 troops massed near the border, has proven advantageous.
"The Russians have everything, whatever they want," laments Viktor, "and we have nothing to fight with. But we do what we can."
Delays in U.S. military aid have exacerbated the situation, forcing Ukrainian forces to ration ammunition. On average, Russia has been able to fire ten times as many artillery shells. However, the arrival of additional U.S. weapons and ammunition is expected to narrow the deficit.
At an artillery position outside Vovchansk, members of Ukraine's 57th Brigade have been firing between 50 and 100 rounds daily to defend the town. Their limited ammunition supply, replenished by a small van delivering a mere 20 rounds, highlights the strain on resources.
Ukraine's defense lines are being stretched and thinned out, with reinforcements arriving from various fronts, including the south, where Russian forces are also advancing. The hard-won gains of Ukraine's 2023 offensive are slowly dissipating, and the nation finds itself struggling to hold the line, rather than reclaiming its territory.
Mykhailo, the Ukrainian artillery commander, laments the loss of Vovchansk and surrounding villages, attributing it to inadequate defensive preparations. "We could have used logs and concrete to build defenses. Now we'll have to use shells and people to take back this land," he says, underscoring the costly consequences of this oversight.
As the battle rages on, Ukraine's defense forces are being tested to their limits, stretched across an 800-mile front, with resources dwindling and Russian forces gaining a significant foothold in the Kharkiv region. The nation's resilience and determination will be put to the ultimate test as it strives to hold its ground against the relentless Russian onslaught.