Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
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Three metres underground, timber-enhanced network of tunnels and trenches offers a safer place for frontline fighters to rest and recover, and a deeper position to prevent the possibility of Russia’s advance towards Zaporidia in southeastern Ukraine.
In the soil here, it feels far from the capital Kiev, and has been away from the United States for several years. The dramatic gusts of diplomatic activities over the past week have little meaning for the people on the battlefield.
“We want to believe that the war will end, but we feel it’s unlikely anytime soon,” said Viktor, 53. Infantry from the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade. “How can we believe in (Russian President Vladimir Putin) when there were so many deceptions?”
After Russian officials reveal that there is an unlikely bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, hopes for all progress are beginning to fade – despite subsequent meetings between Putin and US President Donald Trump and subsequent President Trump’s President Voldian Zelensky and European leaders.
On Wednesday, Zelensky said “some compromise” would be needed, but on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Zelensky “has no interest in sustainable, fair and long-term settlements.”
Trump appears to have created justification for Ukraine to take a more aggressive approach to Russia, taking a more aggressive approach to Russia, a shift from shift from shifting from posts on true society on Thursday, saying it is “if not very difficult or impossible.”
Zelensky warns that Russia is “building its power” and begins to mobilize troops from the Kursk region to Zaporidia, so that change could be useful for Ukraine.
“The Russians are preparing for escalation here, that’s certainly true,” said Serhii Skybchyk, the communications commander of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
“We’re standing until the end.”
Preparation and aggressive behavior is already underway.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian Brigade conducted a coordinated drone strike with Russian fuel trains in the occupied Zaporidia region. For miles, a wave of black smoke was wavy in the air to slam the supply lines in order to disrupt the supply lines for Russia’s advance.
The building’s crew has been implanted even in the summer heat, erecting poles and wires covered over 100 miles of Zaporia roads with anti-drone nets made from traditional fishing nets. They aim to protect the logistics routes of the military, as the style of combat shifts from traditional artillery and tanks to dominance in drone warfare.
However, fighter jets say they need more advanced equipment.
“We are in the technical stage where the ‘kill zone’ increases almost every month,” Skybchyk says. “It used to be about 5-7km (about 3-4 miles). Now it’s up to 30km. That means you need long-range weapons, and of course, an electronic warfare system. These are missing in every part of the front.”
The 65th separate mechanized brigade, who took part in the attack on the train, has experienced the brutality of this war, spending up to two weeks before returning to the rear ditch and reorganizing.
Their latest mission took place just hours before CNN visited the makeshift home.
“They fired us from the beginning of our approach,” said Yevhenii, the brigade’s 32-year-old infantry commander. “We found one enemy and destroyed him. But we couldn’t get any footing due to the intense fire.”
Of the six in his group, he said one was killed, two were injured and two suffered concussions due to drone attacks, mortars and rap shots. They were pinned from 8pm to 5am, saying, “There’s no chance to get up or crawl forward.”
For career soldiers like Yevhenii, who joined the army at the age of 18, this battle is greater than this war.
And the talk of a “peace agreement” involving giving away land that risks protecting their lives on a daily basis is very simply impossible.
“We don’t have the option of retreating ourselves,” said Viktor, 53. Brigade infantry. “We’re standing until the end.”
These weary soldiers are on a daily mission to protect the town of Oricif, just a few miles from the frontline, caught up in the war cross.
There are around 800 residents remaining – about 14,000 compared to the pre-war population – many of them are elderly, reluctant or impossible to leave their homes.
Every day, the threat of drones looms above the residents – hanging out in town listening to the horrifying topics of people gathering pensions from the post office and trying to secure some clauses.
“When it hit in the morning – I thought it was the end of it all,” said Liudmyla, a pensioner who lives alone with two dogs who felt an explosion near the house on Thursday morning.
“During the day, I keep pounding and pounding. It’s scary,” she added.
The idea of civilians still living in Oricif “motivated” the troops to continue the fight, Officer Skybuchik said.
“The presence of civilians reflects their trust in the military, which empowers us,” he said. “We don’t want to disappoint them. We won’t abandon this place.”
Back in the dugout, the soldiers try to get some rest before the next mission.
By Trench standards there is a wealth of pantry, makeshift showers, Starlink Internet and TV. It also keeps the basement warm in winter when the temperature reaches below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit).
They sleep in a sturdy wooden bunch topped with a small mattress – more comfortable than the trench on the front, but still sandwiched between the room in three.
“Life here is comfortable and kind of thing,” Yevheni said. “We want more freedom and more private life.”
“It’s safe here. It’s better than living in a home,” he added.
The cat’s family also roams the tunnel. This is an important member of the team to keep mouse populations at bay.
“We even have cat food,” said Volodimia, the brigade sergeant, to open the cans to feed and praise him.
A small joy to strip the reality of war from the next operation.
“You know how we say — “Hope dies in the end,” said Victor.
Victoria Butenko and Svitlana Vlasova contributed the report
