Reuters vow to hold on to Russian troops in snowy trenches

Author: Max Levin

KRYMSKE, Ukraine (Reuters) – A soldier looks down on a wooden trench as snow falls on fields near the eastern town of Krymske in Ukraine.

Inside the trench, another soldier stands in front of a small Christmas tree, with the following messages and drawings pasted on the wall.

This is the first line of Ukraine’s eight-year war against Russian forces in the Donbass region https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/how-rebel-held-regions-eastern-ukraine-have-grown-closer -russian-2021- 12-15.

Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/why-is-russias-putin-so-focused-ukraine-2021-12-15 Kyiv and its western allies have been worrying in recent weeks. Soldiers say they are ready for any climb from Russia.

“We have decided to continue with determination, we will not leave our country. We have been fighting for independence for a long time,” said a military man who, like Martin, called for his name.

“At home, my parents and wife are worried,” he said.

“I have no intention of staying here forever. I intend to repel (a Russian attack) and return home so that my daughter can say, ‘Wow, Dad, you’ve got to stop the superpower with your own hands.’

U.S. authorities say Russia may launch a new offensive against Ukraine in the second half of January.

Russia has denied any wrongdoing and accused Kyiv of building forces in the east of the country. But Moscow has called on the West for the security it needs to calm the current crisis.

Another soldier, who gave his name to Oleh, underestimated the hope of a big climb.

“If they show muscles and shake their swords, then they’re unlikely to attack. If someone wants to attack, they do it in secret,” he said.