Members of a Ukrainian brigade have recounted their secret relocation to defend a section of the country's border with Russia just days before a new invasion commenced.
The commander of an artillery unit from the 57th Brigade revealed that his guns were firing at Russian troops who were "brazenly" amassing on their side of the border about 24 hours before the incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region on May 10th.
"We were hitting tanks on the border... it was already a real war," said Sasha, 26, who uses the callsign "Black."
Another artillery unit commander confirmed the brigade had been moved early to strengthen defenses in this direction. Previously, the troops had been defending the city of Kupiansk, also in Kharkiv.
These accounts illustrate Ukraine's attempts to preemptively deploy forces to counter a Russian buildup along its northeastern border. However, this effort was insufficient to prevent the largest assault into Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly two and a half years ago.
A Ukrainian source, describing the initial days of the Kharkiv offensive, mentioned moments of fearing they had "lost the frontline." The source added that the situation had since stabilized but cautioned, "We don't know how long it could be like this."
On Saturday, Sky News tried to visit an artillery position manned by soldiers from the 57th Brigade near Vovchansk, a key Russian target. As they approached, a soldier instructed them to pull over to communicate via radio with the troops at the gunline. Suddenly, a voice over the radio warned, "Don't come here. Don't come at all." The danger forced them to leave immediately, with the situation on the ground unclear.
At a makeshift base away from the frontline, Sasha, the artillery unit commander, used electronic maps on a tablet and laptop to confirm targets. He said his team relocated from Kupiansk on May 4th and 5th, expressing a desire for more preparation time.
"I don't know all the details and why it happened this way. But I know for sure that to better repel an attack, we might need either more time or better-prepared positions," he said. "Ahead of the assault, we were already hitting targets on Russian territory because we knew they were gathering there. They were brazenly assembling."
Sasha described the onset of the Russian advance, which began with three hours of artillery fire against Ukrainian targets before ground troops crossed the border. "I would love that they [the Russians] had been stopped at the border," he said.
Instead, a fierce battle ensued, with Russian infantry, backed by airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire, pushing forward. "For the first few days, they [the Russians] were storming our positions—columns of 30 to 50 soldiers. We were hitting them."
Amid the chaos, Sasha gathered information to ensure his troops could operate effectively. "I am proud that my guys managed to do their best," he said. "All credit to those who stayed on their artillery positions."
He initially described the frontline as "fragile" but noted that reinforcements had since arrived. He believes Russia lost its chance for a significant breakthrough. "Until now, they had a chance. Even in my area, I knew where we had gaps where they could have slipped through. Now we don't have such gaps," he said. "I am satisfied that we have managed to stabilize the situation."
At another artillery position on a different section of the expanded frontline, a Soviet-era gun, hidden under netting and tree branches, points toward Russia. Soldiers there expressed a need for more ammunition and better weapons.
Nicknamed "grandma," their D-20 Howitzer artillery piece, which fires 152mm shells, was built in the 1970s. "We're saving our artillery shells right now. We fire one, they fire back five," said one serviceman, who at 50 years old, uses the callsign "Grandpa."
Another soldier noted Russia's superior weaponry. Asked what difference additional munitions would make, he replied with a laugh, "It would increase the number of dead Russians—100%."
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