Maks Levin contributed to this article.
KRYMSKE, Ukraine is a city in Ukraine. Reuters (Reuters) – In eastern Ukraine, a soldier stares over the top of a wooden trench as snow blankets the surrounding fields near the village of Krymske. The soldier is dressed in fatigues.
Another soldier is stationed inside the trench in front of a little Christmas tree, with words and drawings from well-wishers tacked to the wall behind him.
There has been an eight-year battle between Ukraine and Russian-backed forces in the Donbass region, and this is the frontline of that conflict. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/how-rebel-held-regions-eastern-ukraine-have-grown-closer-russia-2021-12-15.
Russian troops are moving closer to Ukraine’s borders. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/why-is-russias-putin-so-focused-ukraine-2021-12-15 In recent weeks, Kyiv and its Western partners have expressed concern over the situation. The soldiers have stated that they are prepared for any escalation by Russian forces.
“We are resolute to maintain our position; we will not abandon our homeland.” “We fought for freedom for a very long period,” claimed one serviceman, who identified himself only as Martin in the press.
My parents and wife are worried about me at home,” he explained.
“I don’t intend to remain in this place indefinitely. In order for my daughter to say later, ‘Wow, father, you were able to halt a superpower with your own hands,’ I intend to repel (a Russian attack) and return home.
Officials from the United States have stated that Russia could begin a new strike against Ukraine as soon as the second part of January.
In response, Russia has denied that it is planning an offensive and has accused Ukraine of assembling its own forces in the country’s eastern regions. However, in order to alleviate the current crisis, Moscow has requested security guarantees from the West, which the West has refused to provide.
Another serviceman, who identified himself only as Oleh, downplayed the possibility of a big escalation in the conflict.
In the event that they flaunt their muscles and sabres, they are unlikely to launch an attack.” ‘If someone intends to strike, he will do so quietly,’ he explained.
The following is written by Matthias Williams, with editing by Alison Williams