- 11 Oct 2022, 22:51
#21549
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpspr ... w.jpg.webp
By Jonathan Beale
Defence correspondent, BBC News
Oleksii tells me: "I feel safe here because we are on our land and even the ground will bring me help." That's despite the nearby sound of small-arms fire, exploding artillery shells landing within sight and the roar of Russian jets overhead.
The ground he and the small team of Ukrainian troops now occupy is on the border of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The same ground that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently declared as being Russian forever.
Over the past week the men of Ukraine's D1 National Guard Unit have advanced more than 20km (12 miles) east from the recently liberated city of Lyman in Donetsk region. They now occupy a former Russian position in a wood - still within range of the retreating Russian army. Part of "forever Russia" is already back in Ukrainian hands. Russia's now the defending army.
The reversal in fortunes has been a shot in the arm for Ukrainian troops. There's a palpable sense of confidence among them, even though they're still within range. Ilya, another member of the unit, tells me: "We can retake territory, but the Russians cannot." I ask why? "Because they are weak now, they're scared of us, they're running from us."
This position also tells a story about the difference between Ukrainian and Russian discipline and morale. Strewn across the ground and hanging in trees are remnants of the retreating Russian forces - empty cans, ration packs, boots, bottles and clothes.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpspr ... e.jpg.webp
By Jonathan Beale
Defence correspondent, BBC News
Oleksii tells me: "I feel safe here because we are on our land and even the ground will bring me help." That's despite the nearby sound of small-arms fire, exploding artillery shells landing within sight and the roar of Russian jets overhead.
The ground he and the small team of Ukrainian troops now occupy is on the border of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The same ground that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently declared as being Russian forever.
Over the past week the men of Ukraine's D1 National Guard Unit have advanced more than 20km (12 miles) east from the recently liberated city of Lyman in Donetsk region. They now occupy a former Russian position in a wood - still within range of the retreating Russian army. Part of "forever Russia" is already back in Ukrainian hands. Russia's now the defending army.
The reversal in fortunes has been a shot in the arm for Ukrainian troops. There's a palpable sense of confidence among them, even though they're still within range. Ilya, another member of the unit, tells me: "We can retake territory, but the Russians cannot." I ask why? "Because they are weak now, they're scared of us, they're running from us."
This position also tells a story about the difference between Ukrainian and Russian discipline and morale. Strewn across the ground and hanging in trees are remnants of the retreating Russian forces - empty cans, ration packs, boots, bottles and clothes.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpspr ... e.jpg.webp
