Second week of February. 21-year-old Major had just arrived in Avdijivka when Russian forces began striking the Ukrainians.
The soldier’s name is actually something else. “Major” is his call sign. All soldiers interviewed by the Washington Post are identified by their call sign, which is customary in the military.
The Russian force managed to enter the building – a two-storey old student accommodation. Major was forced into a corner while the Russians shouted at him to give up. Under Ukrainian fire support, he managed to escape, but afterwards he was changed. So many had been injured and there were “no older soldiers left”.
“This was the road of death”
The retreat from Avdijivka was a major defeat for Ukraine, which to the last sent in new troops to fight the Russian advance.
On the way out, Major and his team witness the convoy in front of them explode after being hit by Russian artillery fire.
“This was the road of death,” he tells the Washington Post, “the last way out.”
Got four concussions
Major fought side by side with Schultz, 23, who says it started to feel “real” after a Ukrainian soldier hit a Russian infantry vehicle with rocket launchers. The driver lost control of the vehicle, and as the Russians jumped off, they were fired upon by Ukrainian forces.
In the coming days, Russia attacked with “wave after wave after wave,” according to Schultz.
Gunner Shved, 44, fired on so many Russian troops in the last few days that he “lost count”.
After three concussions, Shved is advised to leave the battlefield. “At that point, it felt like someone had hit me with a baseball bat,” Shved told the Washington Post. On the way out of the battlefield, Shved’s transport was attacked by a drone, and he suffered a fourth concussion.
“Never passed my seat again”
The 27-year-old shooter Bandit from Canada arrived on February 8. From his position, he watched as Russia sent in inexperienced forces without adequate equipment.
“During my first day I took out eight. They never passed my place again,” Bandit told the Washington Post.
Bandit and his squad left Avdijivka under darkness and heavy shelling from the Russians. 500 meters behind them they saw large white clouds after shelling with white phosphorus, according to Bandit.
It is disputed whether Russia used white phosphorus during its warfare in Ukraine.