Crimea was Ukraine’s first loss in this war. It was also a personal loss for many Ukrainians, one that continues to be painful after 12 years. Frontliner reporter Olena Maksymenko shares her own experience in Crimea, memories that still sustain her, despite the distance in time and place.
“The biggest problems come from indifference,” says Petro Shuklinov, a servicemember who created a unique auto repair shop. According to him, people are willing to donate to drones or new cars – it’s new and effective.
Being under fire is terrifying. But it is many times worse for a bedridden person who cannot make it to a shelter or leave a dangerous city on their own. People with limited mobility rely on family, social services, and rescuers, and a single mistake or delay can cost them their lives.
The museum of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade Kholodny Yar is located in one of the frontline towns of the Donetsk region, so for safety reasons it is almost entirely underground. It bears little resemblance to a traditional museum where you can check the website for opening hours, buy tickets, and spend an educational weekend with your family.
The calm at the stabilization point suddenly ends, as if someone flipped a switch. Just moments ago the medics relaxedly drank coffee with snacks, went out for a smoke break, and scrolled through social media, the corridor was filled with the stamping of feet, shouts of “seriously wounded!”, and groans of the wounded.
The American M114 gun is now in action on the Pokrovsk front, holding back the Russian onslaught. Originally built in 1943 to halt the advance of Nazi forces during World War II, it was transferred to Ukraine by the Czech Republic during the full-scale war.
“Korshun,” an infantryman of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss,” has seen much during his seven months of combat on the front: he captured an enemy soldier, held his position alone for several days, and was wounded. His command has put him forward for the Order of Courage.
Service members and veterans are excavating the Trypillian culture, thereby reclaiming themselves. They are rehabilitating through archaeology near Lehedzyne in Cherkasy Oblast.
Drones hunting enemy UAVs have become the latest twist in the battle of technologies. The war behind the controls and screens in a cozy dugout is somewhat reminiscent of a computer game, but the stakes are life itself. Frontliner visited the anti-drone drones of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodny Yar” in the Donetsk direction and learned about the specifics of such hunting.
Ukraine has been in a full-scale war with Russia for the third year. 2024 was especially difficult and exhausting for the army, society, and economy. Every day, 100-200 combat clashes along the thousand-kilometer front line. Hundreds of drones and missiles are launched at cities and villages in the depths of the country.
