Notes and Essays -- John Brown

By  Luke Harding  in Kyiv,  The Guardian , 31 Jan 2025 00.00 EST View image in fullscreen Once a trained sniper, Viktor is one of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who have abandoned their units.  Photograph: Anastasia Vlasova/The Guardian  When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Viktor* was ready to die for his country. He volunteered to defend Kyiv as enemy tanks appeared and joined Ukraine’s armed forces. In the spring of 2023 he was fighting   in the village of Tonenke , near the   eastern city of Avdiivka . “When I arrived I was super-motivated. If necessary I would give my life,” he recalled. Gradually, , however, he became disillusioned. The battle was furious. “The Russians would smash our positions to the ground,” he said. Senior Ukrainian commanders gave unrealistic orders. Then, while he was defending a ruined building, a panel fell on his shoulder. After receiving injections to reduce the pain, he was told to return to t...

my’s desertion crisis By  Luke Harding  in Kyiv,  The Guardian , 31 Jan 2025 00.00 EST View image in fullscreen Once a trained sniper, Viktor is one of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who have abandoned their units.  Photograph: Anastasia Vlasova/The Guardian When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Viktor* was ready to die for his country. He volunteered to defend Kyiv as enemy tanks appeared and joined Ukraine’s armed forces. In the spring of 2023 he was fighting   in the village of Tonenke , near the   eastern city of Avdiivka . “When I arrived I was super-motivated. If necessary I would give my life,” he recalled. Gradually, however, he became disillusioned. The battle was furious. “The Russians would smash our positions to the ground,” he said. Senior Ukrainian commanders gave unrealistic orders. Then, while he was defending a ruined building, a panel fell on his shoulder. After receiving injections to reduce the pain, he was told ...