It had been 9 months since I met Mr. Oleksandr again.

Oleksandr, a military officer who was interviewed in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in March last year, was currently deployed to the eastern front of Kharkiv, and was able to see his face again after 9 months through a video interview.

He, who has been operating on the Eastern Front since August of last year, responded to the interview during his non-operational period.

He compiled an interview with him.



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# Difficulties due to lack of long-range weapons

Our goal for the past few months has been to reclaim territory lost to Russia.

After this operation has achieved some success (*Ukrainian forces recovered some of the territories occupied by Russia on the Eastern Front at the end of last year), the main task of our unit now is to prepare for a possible counterattack.

The military leadership frequently sends information about the possibility of a new counterattack by Russia, and we are preparing for it.



The reclaimed territories are successfully defended so far, but the situation is not easy.

This is because the retreating Russian forces are continuing their artillery bombardment.

The enemy bombards our camps from Russian territory every day, and the hardest part is that we cannot fire back into Russian territory.

We must drive the enemy out of our borders so that our people can live fearlessly within our territory, and to do so, we must be able to bombard our territory as well.



We know how to build barricades and fortifications, and are now effectively countering Russian forces.

But we are not staying here without loss.

We lose countless soldiers every day, and at the cost of their blood we defend our land.

We will undoubtedly win this war in the near future, but achieving these goals requires continued arms and ammunition support from our partners in Europe and the United States.


#Russia increases use of banned new weapons

Winter in Ukraine is a difficult season to fight.

In particular, this winter is warmer than usual, so the ground is muddy even in winter, and it is difficult to use tanks or heavy weapons.

Fighting in such an environment requires soldiers to carry all their weapons by hand, which is impossible for either friend or foe.

Thus, the weather is one factor that makes the war appear to be at a stalemate.

However, fierce local warfare is taking place every day on the front lines.



According to my experience at the front, the Russian army has recently been using more and more new weapons made in the last 2-3 years, as well as weapons from the old Soviet era.

Most of these new weapons are banned from use in modern warfare by international conventions because they cause excruciating pain and aftereffects to veterans.

We are very concerned that Russian forces are beginning to use more of the new banned weapons on the front.



Russia is verifying its performance by using new weapons of its own that have never been used in real battles in this war.

New weapons don't always work as effectively as they hoped, but I think they're improving them through this process.



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# Children left on the battlefield

Although part of Ukrainian territory has been recovered from the Northeast Front, those who fled have not yet dared to return for fear of a counterattack by the Russian army.

However, there were many people who could not leave the refugees due to various circumstances, and some of them lost their lives, but about 30% of the residents continue to stay here.



When our troops recaptured it, the Ukrainians who remained here were very happy to see us.

I was quite surprised to see so many children and teenagers from the time still remain in this hotly contested area.

It's a new year, but the children in front don't feel that kind of atmosphere at all.

In the hope that the children would be able to forget about the war for a moment, our unit presented them with gifts from outside support at the end of the year.


# We pay the price every day with millions of lives

Aren't you afraid?

Of course I'm afraid.

But fear is an unnecessary emotion in battle.

Because a reckless soldier can easily do stupid things.

The price for Ukraine to win this war is very high.

Thousands continue to die, especially the bravest and most patriotic young people.

Even when the war is over, it will take more than one generation to heal and recover from these wounds.

This is not a loss that can be converted into money.

The Russian army and government must stop this war immediately, and those who give these orders must pay a clear price.



The world must understand that the only end to this war is the fall of Russia.

The Russian invasion isn't just targeting Ukraine, which is playing a role in preventing the spread of the war to other countries in Europe.

We hope that the whole world will help Ukraine in any way possible.



Our military will defend our country from invaders as long as we live.

Many people in Ukraine feel the same way, and I am proud of my country.

I'm fine today, but I can't guarantee tomorrow.

So now my only wish is to return to my hometown where I live and find peace.

After this war ends with Ukraine's victory, I hope to be able to respond to your request for an interview once again.