Gas, drones and convict recruits: Ukrainian soldiers describe Russia’s deadly surge on the frontlines
The front lines where Ukraine and its allies had hoped for a summer breakthrough now epitomize the bleak, dark winter ahead — of Russian resurgence and Kyiv’s mounting losses.
“As we like to say in the army, the plan was good on paper, but we forgot about the trenches,” joked Ihor, a commander in the 15th National Guard. CNN is only using his first name to protect his identity for security reasons. Speaking with CNN deep in a command post in Orikhiv, in southern Ukraine, he is interrupted by panicked noises in the radio room.
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The Ukrainians face relentless waves of Russian convict recruits, properly trained and equipped, backed by armor, and often – they believe – given a mix of drugs to bolster their attack. Ukrainian soldiers showed CNN drone footage of an injured Russian, his legs severed, yet a ghoulish smile on his face, seemingly oblivious to the pain.
Those fighting in besieged Ukrainian trenches say they now face another threat: the use of gas as a weapon. Nine incidents have been recorded in recent weeks in this area, one Ukrainian combat medic told CNN, in which a caustic and flammable gas had been dropped by drones onto Ukrainian lines, causing one fatality. The gas is used to cause panic and followed by conventional shelling or drone attacks, soldiers impacted said.
It's dishonest to frame this war that way. Ukraine is some kind of proxy for a global alliance against Russia. We are good at lying to ourselves. Not as good as Russia, but the more we do it, the less certain we can be of anything.
Maybe you propaganda lovers need the lies for some internal reason? I don't personally feel that if I'm justifying my decisions with lies, I should resolve the inconsistency in my value system.
Here you go goalpost moving. First it’s not true now it’s misleading? It’s not dishonest, their support is faltering and it’s obvious they can’t succeed it on their own. Stop acting like anyone you disagree with is just a victim of propaganda, it’s obnoxious at best and bad faith at worst.
I might add that “Ukraine is a puppet of the west” is a Russian propaganda talking point; physician heal thyself.
Your reasoning is very flawed on this. Dishonest and misleading are synonymous. And I never said they are a puppet of anyone. They are very far from alone and they obviously have the greatest interest. Their military assets amount to many billions with more constantly flowing in. When it comes to the means to make war, Ukraine is wealthy and applying any other measure is dishonest, a lie, misleading and propaganda.
Ukraine is worth our help but not worth lying to ourselves over.
Ukraine’s wealth is absolutely relevant to contextualizing this conflict. They have billions in arms because they were given to them by other wealthier nations. They don’t have the same domestic defense industrial base that Russia has even with Russia crippled by sanctions, nor do they have a steady stream of oil money. Without western aid continuing it’s doubtful that they will continue to have much success. I don’t have food security if I to get a meal at a soup kitchen every night, what happens if they close up shop? Same applies to Ukraine and the arms they need to fight.