DONETSK REGION In a small grove on the edge of a field outside the city of Donetsk, there is a group of soldiers. Their mission is to stop Russia’s advance.
The soldiers are waiting under the cover of trees for the command. They operate a Grad rocket launcher.
In the worst case scenario, a Russian breakthrough could mess up Ukraine’s plans for a major counteroffensive.
Ukraine has launched a counterattack, especially on the southern fronts in Zaporizhia.
But there are also places where Russia is trying to make local breakthroughs.
Bahmut is the most famous of Donetsk battle scenes. Russia has also been shelling Ajdijivka and Marijinka for months.
Marijinka, a suburb of Donetsk, is left with nothing but ruins after Russia’s constant shelling.
– Russians have moved more in recent days. That’s why we have more work, targets to destroy, says the fighter name Scorpio bearing 20 year old.
Despite his young age, he is already a war veteran. He joined the army shortly before the Russian invasion, at the age of 18.
Then an order from headquarters arrives. The Grad rocket launcher is driven a couple of kilometers away to the edge of the forest.
Within minutes the gun is aimed and fired. A huge bang launches two three-meter rockets to the other side of the front, less than ten kilometers away.
Not even a minute passes when the rocket launcher is already on its way back to its hiding place.
– Information came that the Russians suddenly started moving on the front. That’s why we got the order. We destroy their war equipment, crews and logistics.
Targets are located with, for example, drones. The information is transmitted to the headquarters, from where the strike commands are passed on.
The area has been fought over since 2014
According to him, this unit is not yet part of the Ukrainian counterattack. Their mission is to prevent Russian attacks.
– We don’t have new western equipment, which is mainly reserved for counterattacks. It could very well be that it will come here too, says the group commander Roma.
The 45-year-old says that the Russians are continuing their offensive in the direction of Avdijivka and Marijinka. That’s why defense is crucial in these places.
– Sometimes there are really ‘hot’ days. We have to constantly change stations. The heavy pressure is of course on the infantry. The Russians are constantly looking for weak points in our defense.
Avdijivka and Marijinka have been fought since 2014. They were already the front line of the war in eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine still hasn’t lost them to Russia.
Grad rocket launchers have been used for decades
This group operates a conventional Grad rocket launcher. It has been involved in all Soviet wars since the 1970s. In this war too, it is the most common weapon.
The weapon is devastating, but not very accurate. The weapon can fire forty rockets, but today troops usually fire two rockets.
Ammunition is not fired, but aims to destroy a certain target precisely, like artillery.
– For the most part, we have had enough ammunition, although sometimes there have been delays in deliveries of up to a week, says Skorpioni.
The order to attack is expected, but there is no talk of it
The soldiers of the rocket launcher group strongly support the Ukrainian counter-offensive. They say they are preparing, but are tight-lipped about the details.
Only a small group of military and political leaders in Ukraine know about the big plans for the counterattack.
– I don’t know if anything has actually changed. Morale is high. We want to liberate the occupied territories as quickly as possible, says Skorpioni.
Roman also says that the work will continue as before.
– Even though we’ve been doing this for over a year and sometimes it gets tiring, we have to continue with discipline and efficiency. From day to day. We don’t do this for the money. This is our home.
Roman says that the unit is prepared for everything. If there is more equipment, it will be used and attacked when the order goes.
According to Roman, it is somewhat frustrating that the unit still relies on Soviet equipment. It frustrates him that the European equipment aid has progressed slowly.
Romanin is especially looking for fighter jets.
– Starting a counterattack without air support leads to the loss of soldiers and equipment for no reason, Roman says thoughtfully.
At the same time, he says he understands the situation, which is common to Ukraine and Europe: We were not prepared for a war of this scale.
– We have to change our sneakers in a hurry. Now the offensive forces have NATO weapons, but they should be available everywhere. At the same time, when we are reforming the army, there must be a tough defensive battle, says Roman and continues.
– All brigades must be brought up to the NATO standard. There are no options. This is a matter of survival. If we lose this war, they win, Roman states.