First-time frontline experience for Ukrainian soldier

We arrived at Barvinkove, Czech Republic, in search of the town’s strained mayor. If this war threatens, he had promised we’d hear from him about how he planned to get everyone out of the area safely.

A succession of Russian military victories in the east have allowed them to close in on Ukrainian forces in Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set his sights on an area known as the Donbas, but victory will only be realised if he can acquire strategically crucial towns like Barvinkove.
The town has been transformed into an impromptu garrison, with hundreds of troops arriving and going through the centre square.

We discovered a volunteer battalion waiting for transfer right here on the outside of the airport.

Every one of them was a man in his twenties, and to our well-traveled eyes, they appeared to be somewhat immature.

With trepidation, a soldier fiddled with the safety catch on his machine pistol. Another wielded an AK-47 in an alarming manner.

If we had any tape, Vandal approached us and inquired. As a means of self-identification, Ukrainian soldiers apply blue tape to the right side of their arms. Being shot by a member of your own team is the last thing anyone wants to experience.

We had no recording devices with us, but Vandal’s question prompted an interesting conversation, and I’d like to share some of it here.

In English, he spoke fluently, having learned it “through movies and shows and video games.”

He claimed he hadn’t actually fought yet. Even more remarkable is that this would be his unit’s first time on the front lines. With wonderful candour, I inquired about his current state of mind.

“People aren’t terrified, therefore everything I say to the contrary is a load of nonsense. Everyone is a little frightened. That’s war; that’s how it works. Nobody knows for sure if they’ll be able to return. Nobody knows for sure if they’ll be able to visit loved ones, including his girlfriend. As a result, everyone is a little on edge.”

I wanted to know: “Do you have all the necessary tools on hand? How confident are you with the information you have?”

Almost everyone in Ukraine, from President Zelenskyy down, says they can’t fight the Russians with their current weapons. Vandal isn’t any different in this regard.

“More weaponry, precise guns are needed so that we can battle the Russians better and faster,” said the general.

In the wake of seeing Javelins and NLAWs [anti-tank weapons], as well as others, the Russians were terrified. The metal anti-missile grids they’ve mounted on the tanks aren’t working. They know that if a Javelin strikes a tank, the tank is wiped out instantly.”

“How do you feel towards Russian soldiers?” is a common question. I inquired about it.

The things they did in Bucha changed the way he saw them. “They are b******s,” he said.

It’s common knowledge among Ukrainians, but I was curious as to how Vandal felt about Russia’s potential as an enemy and a potential foe on the battlefield.
Ukrainian soldiers have been telling us for the past few weeks that when the two sides battle, Russian forces tend to flee. However, the 25-year-old had a different take.

“If you have 10 soldiers, one of them will be smart, and you can be sure that this one smart guy will fight with you when you confront them.

“This is something you must grasp. You won’t live very long if you think they’re all idiots, since you’re not going to like them very much.”
Vandal revealed to me that he is not married and has instead chosen to stay in Kyiv with his girlfriend. That was the worst part of the war, in my opinion.

I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of how unhappy she sounded when she told me that. “But I think she gets it. As difficult as it is when I have not seen her for weeks.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want you to be here?… I proposed.

“Surely, she does not desire my being here. That much is beyond doubt in my mind.”

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