In Dobropillia, a coal-mining town near the front line in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, plumes of smoke rise from various locations, buildings are in ruins, and apartment blocks display scars from Russian glide bombs. The town’s population has dwindled to less than 1,500 residents from 28,000 before the Russian invasion, with refugees like Viktoriya Sergeeva, who lost her parents in a bombing, seeking shelter there.
The region, encompassing Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, and Myrnohrad, is now a focal point of intense conflict, with Russia striving to seize control. Ukrainian forces, including a top infantry brigade operating covertly, are engaged in a complex and fluid battlefield. The traditional front line has blurred, with small mixed groups of soldiers from both sides scattered throughout the area.
Drones have become a significant challenge for Ukrainian forces, necessitating a shift in tactics to evade detection and minimize exposure. Resupplying forward positions often involves drone drops of essential supplies. Ukrainian soldiers rely on innovative methods, such as cable-guided drones immune to jamming, to counter the drone threat effectively.
Despite well-equipped units, the scale of losses is staggering, with many soldiers sacrificing their lives in combat. Commanders like Vova bear the weight of sending troops into perilous situations, knowing the high risks involved. The mental toll on commanders, fielding constant inquiries about missing loved ones, is substantial.
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have suffered significant casualties, with thousands of soldiers lost on both sides. The conflict has led to the depopulation and destruction of Ukrainian-held territories in Donbas, with remaining residents comprising refugees, criminals, and pro-Russian elements. As the conflict escalates, cities like Pokrovsk face direct Russian incursions, turning parts of the region into contested grey zones.
For soldiers like Achilles, talk of ceasefires seems distant and inconsequential amid the ongoing violence and loss of life on the front lines. The relentless push by Russian forces and the ever-evolving tactics of both sides underscore the harsh reality faced by those caught in the midst of the conflict.