Dodging death: Ukrainian soldier evacuates wounded amidst Russian attacks

The New York Times interviewed Ukrainian front line soldiers.

The forest in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region is eerily silent except for the sounds of artillery launching and landing along the front line. Combat medics await the wounded amidst the chaos, while a military vehicle creeps along a dusty road and abruptly stops at the edge of the trees. Its driver, Valentyn, strategically parks the vehicle there to blend in with the natural surroundings and evade detection by Russian drones scouting for Ukrainian military positions.

A group of soldiers arrive, visibly disturbed, and swiftly remove three bodies that were recently recovered from the front line. The soldiers explain that their position was bombed and then raided by a drone. The bodies are placed into individual plastic bags and zipped shut.

Maksym, who survived the attack, shared that they were being shot at from all sides and despite running, they were unable to escape. He expressed that this incident is a significant tragedy for them. “One more body is left behind with the Russian soldiers,” he added.

While the world's focus remains on the ongoing urban battle in Bakhmut, the Russian campaign in eastern Ukraine is also fiercely raging in the nearby forests and fields, approximately 50 miles north of the town in Kreminna. Soldiers are taking positions in trenches, surrounded by tall, slim trees, and crouching to avoid the direct line of sight from their Russian adversaries.

Valentyn, who has been serving in the army for seven months, shared that people often talk about how harsh it is in Bakhmut, but the conditions in Kreminna are also equally challenging.

Valentyn has been stationed at an evacuation point for the last month, where he has been tasked with rescuing wounded soldiers and recovering the dead from the front line. Despite having to drive towards Russian forces and coming under fire, he has diligently carried out his duties. However, he remains perplexed as to the purpose of the ongoing war, stating that "there is nothing good about it." 

The Ukrainian and Russian military authorities have been unwilling to share information on their respective casualties, but estimates from the US government and military experts suggest that both sides have suffered significant losses, numbering in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

Valentyn has been grappling with the daunting task of attending to the victims, which has been both harrowing and unceasing.

As he was wiping off the blood from his vehicle, he remarked, "There is blood everywhere. It has a smell. Especially fresh blood." He let the blood-soaked cloth run through his fingers as he rinsed it out. Afterward, he used the same piece of cloth to clean the back seat.

“It’s difficult to see young boys die,” Valentyn said. “Sometimes I cry quietly.”

During calmer moments when there are no evacuations required, Valentyn ventures deep into the forest to transport soldiers to and from the contact line. At this location, Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are positioned in close proximity, sometimes just a few hundred meters apart. Unfortunately, Valentyn recounted that there was at least one instance where a group of soldiers could not make it to their designated position because Russian troops had already taken control of it.

Viktor, one of the soldiers who returned with Valentyn, expressed the constant fear and anxiety he experiences for his country and life, stating that every day in the area is alarming. The solemn expression on his face reflects the terror and dread that only those who have experienced combat in the forest can understand. “Those who haven’t been there will never understand," he said.