Comrades were dying in front of their eyes, the soldiers said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
-Several soldiers and marines spoke to journalists out of concern about the high casualties and what they said were
overly optimistic accounts from officials about the progress of the offensive.
-Fresh troops arriving at the east bank have to step on soldiers’ bodies that lie tangled in the churned mud, said Mr Oleksiy, an experienced soldier who fought in Krynky in October and has since crossed multiple times to help evacuate the wounded.
-With Ukraine’s counter-offensive bogged down and the United States and even the European Union showing signs of cutting back aid, the cross-river offensive has been keenly watched for signs that Ukraine can regain momentum against Russian forces.
-Since the war’s outset, Ukrainian officials have sought to maintain a positive narrative in an effort to maintain morale at home and support abroad. Casualty numbers are not published, nor are details of setbacks suffered by Ukrainian troops.
-But marines and soldiers who have been there say these accounts overstate the case.
“There are no positions. There is no such thing as an observation post or position,” Mr Oleksiy said. “It is impossible to gain a foothold there. It’s impossible to move equipment there.”
“It’s not even a fight for survival,” he added. “It’s a suicide mission.”
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