**Ukraine’s Front Lines: A Chilling Display of War’s Devastation**
Big plumes of smoke are billowing from the outskirts of the eastern city of Pokrovsk, one of Ukraine’s most intense front lines. The screen in front of us is live-streaming footage from Ukrainian drones hovering above the area. Just moments ago, Ukrainian artillery strikes hit Russian positions, where soldiers were attempting to advance towards a key road.
The consequences of Russia’s invasion are stark and brutal. Hundreds of thousands have been killed since 2022, with no end in sight. As US President Donald Trump has described it, this is a “never-ending bloodbath.”
We’re situated in a rural house converted into a command center for the 155th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army. The devastation on screen is greater than what we witnessed six months ago. Homes and buildings have been completely flattened, a testament to the fierce battle fought over several months to defend Pokrovsk – a crucial transport hub in the Donetsk region.
**Cautious Optimism**
This week, there’s a sense of cautious optimism among Ukrainian soldiers. Diplomatic efforts from the US, Europe, Turkey, and others have pushed Russia and Ukraine to direct talks for the first time in three years. An officer, referred to by his call sign “Kozak,” says, “I think something should happen since Russia was the first one to push for these talks.”
Many soldiers share Kozak’s sentiment, hoping that this will be the beginning of the end of the war. Yurii, a 37-year-old former technology company worker now fighting in Ukraine, emphasizes the importance of direct communication: “They (Russia and Ukraine) have to start talking. Us soldiers, we wish this war would end. But it’s essential to remember that we cannot stop it because we did not start it.”
**The Evolution of War Technology**
As we drive through open fields, mud flying everywhere, we’re reminded that war technology continues to evolve. Drones equipped with real fiber optic cables have become a new threat, making them nearly undetectable and impossible to neutralize. “We cannot detect them or neutralise them, so there are probably a lot more drones in the area right now than we know,” says Yurii.
**A French Self-Propelled Howitzer on Ukraine’s Front Lines**
Ukraine has employed a range of military equipment, including a French self-propelled howitzer. This advanced technology has proven crucial in combat against Russian forces. The artillery strikes that hit Russian positions earlier today are a testament to the effectiveness of this equipment.
**The Human Cost**
The cost of defending their land is visible everywhere – most poignantly in photos of smiling young soldiers, memorial walls, and freshly dug graves. Yana Melnikova, Vladislav’s mother, visits his grave in Zaporizhzhia, leaving treats and weeping with her daughter. Vladislav was a drone operator who lost his life in combat.
For Yana, news of direct talks brings little hope: “It seems to me that this war is eternal. Of course, I hope they will find a solution… But Putin is greedy. His hunger for our land is insatiable.”
**Ukraine’s Resolve**
Parts of the Zaporizhzhia region are currently occupied by Russia. However, many Ukrainians refuse to give up their land or submit to Russian rule. As Yana says, “I want to live in Ukraine, not Russia. We have seen what they do under occupation… I hope my child did not die for nothing. That there will still be a victory and all of Ukraine will become free.”
Additional reporting by Imogen Anderson, Volodymyr Lozhko, Anastasiia Levchenko, Sanjay Ganguly
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