Incredible video shows Russian soldiers hurling grenades into trenches and Ukrainian counter
New footage from the Ukrainian frontline shows intense fighting between Russian troops and entrenched defenders in the disputed ‘last way out of Bakhmut’.
The clamp depicts the Ukrainian volunteer corps “Da Vinci Wolves” suppressing Russian troops attempting to cross no man’s land and attack a fortified position.
Ukrainian troops quickly recover from a grenade explosion at the opening of the dugout, assess injuries and report that “orcs have jumped into our trenches.”
With little cover, they emerge to suppress the advancing Russians, taking up positions around the bunker and shooting down targets as they creep away.
After months of fierce fighting around the symbolically important city of Bakhmut, the end of winter is expected to mark a decisive turn in the war, although both sides are said to be experiencing problems with equipment and supply lines.
A Ukrainian soldier is depicted digging as troops contemplate the death of a soldier
An explosive device suddenly rocks the dugout, causing the soldier to fall at the mouth of the trench
Soldiers check for casualties and report the attack before preparing for a clash
The video, originally 11 minutes long, begins with the Ukrainian forces turning off from a stretch of open country. Dead and dying trees surround the bunker. Smoke rises in the distance.
The armed forces – rumored to be among the best trained and best equipped of the volunteer corps – enter a bunker dug into the ground and speak to Allied soldiers. A fallen soldier is identified and people think: ‘yes brother, that’s how it goes in war’.
The soldiers take a rest in the trench while one – later named ‘Lekha’ – digs into the ground at the mouth of the dugout. Seemingly without warning, a grenade goes off nearby and Lekha falls on his stomach.
Colleagues watch Lekha and the camera cuts to someone radioing the attack. They get to their feet and make their way out of the confined space as explosives fly overhead.
The cameraman moves around the trench, behind a knoll for cover. From the high ground he focuses on a number of Russian soldiers who try to get away in a prone position.
The Battle of Bakhmut has turned the city and surrounding areas into hell for the past eight and a half months.
The city is at an important crossroads of supply routes and, when fighting broke out in May 2022, was considered a major staging post for attacks deeper into Donbas.
Russian troops have also maintained the city’s symbolic importance after a series of setbacks last year.
In late 2022, as Ukrainian counter-offensives retook ground in the east of the country, the front between Bakhmut and Soledar in the north became a major focus for both sides.
Russian shelling of the city escalated last November when Russia managed to replenish the lines. Soon both sides were forced to entrench themselves in fortified trenches.
The winter slowed the advance of both sides as the weather deteriorated and movement became more difficult.
In February, Russian soldiers began speaking out against the suicidal tendencies of Wagner Group mercenaries, who pushed forward in human waves under heavy artillery fire in scenes reminiscent of the Somme.
The attacks would result in massive casualties for both Ukraine and the invading Russians, who grew in strength the invasion troops with a shield of former convicts.
An insider, probably within the Wagner Group, told Russian Criminal that groups of eight are moving forward in waves. Each attack usually consists of four waves, but it may take as many as 14 to take a disputed territory, as seen in Soledar.
The source said there were often a hundred or more casualties per section.
In March, an elite Russian tank brigade appeared to mutinied after being ordered to drive straight into a heavily fortified minefield dubbed the “corridor of death” on the Vuhledar frontline, some three hours south of Bakhmut.
In April, Russia was seen building a 70-kilometer “mega trench” visible from space along the southern region of Zaporizhzhia as it prepared for a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Troops report by radio that ‘orcs’ have jumped into their trenches outside the city of Bakhmut
A grenade flies through the air as Ukrainian troops fight their way out of the bunker
Explosives fly overhead as the troops emerge from the dugout and suppress the attack
A soldier makes his way to a slightly elevated position and opens fire on the Russians
The soldier is reloaded after firing at soldiers trapped in no man’s land near Bakhmut
Later in April, a leak of top-secret Pentagon files revealed that US planners doubted Ukraine’s ability to effectively launch the anticipated spring counteroffensive.
They expressed concern over Ukraine’s ability to replenish depleted lines and the speed at which the defenders burned through vital anti-aircraft munitions.
Leaks suggested that Ukraine would run out of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles by May 2, making it impossible to hold back the Russian advance.
As of March 2022, the Russian air force, the VKS, has been unable to operate effectively in Ukrainian airspace due to its air defenses being wide and dispersed.
Senior military officials in Ukraine warn that this could change, putting cities and power plants at risk unless Ukraine gets help from abroad.