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Progress through vast Russian minefields and heavily fortified
defenses has been slower than many Ukrainians had hoped since
the counteroffensive began in early June.
Members of the Spartan brigade told Reuters in the southern
region of Zaporizhzhia that the Russian troops have expert
knowledge of the terrain where they are fighting because they
have occupied the area for much of the 18-month-old war.
"The difficulty is that the enemy is fully entrenched and has
set up minefields. In more than a year-and-a-half of war, their
gunners targeted every field in this area," said a Howitzer
commander, aged 21, who goes by the call-sign "Jordan".
"They know every inch of the land and target precisely, but we
conduct good counter-fire activities and destroy their
Howitzers, self-propelled guns and other types of artillery."
Another member of the brigade, Stepan, said advances were slow
and methodical.
"Every inch, every field, every bush – someone is waiting for
you there, and our forces must go in there to make sure that
they are not there any more. Just our boys," he said at a
location in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Stepan, 38, was a metal worker before he joined the Spartan
brigade, which is part of Ukraine's National Guard, and was
apprehensive at first.
"Their treacherous guided aerial bombs fell almost every 15-20
minutes here. You never know where and who this weapon will
hit," he said.
"I did not know what to expect. But we got used to it
eventually. I think we serve with dignity."
Brigade members are proud of their work.
"When people see Spartan (on your shoulder patch), they
recognize you immediately. You don’t need to give any extra
explanations or explain where you are from. Spartan says it
all," said Jordan, who was a medical student before the war.
"One granny gave me an apple and a bun so that I have some food
on the way," he said.
(Writing by Ron Popeski, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
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