In the Conditions of War, Ukrainian Soldiers Await a Ceasefire

• Soldiers believe that peace talks are unlikely to conclude the war.
• Problems with mobilization complicate the situation at the front.
• Fighting continues during new rounds of negotiations.

DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — In the area where every explosion shakes the ground, Ukrainian soldiers believe that peace talks look distant and unlikely to conclude the war. Explosions of Russian artillery constantly rumble overhead, forcing them to stay underground, except for moments when they fire from the M777 howitzer, hidden in their dugouts.

On the Northern front, there are no signs that the war could end anytime soon.

Many soldiers are skeptical about the results of peace negotiations, especially since their skepticism has been reinforced by months of unfulfilled promises from the U.S. regarding a quick end to the war.

Recent proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump about the possibility of "exchanging territories" have sparked discontent among soldiers, who refuse to abandon Donbas, where they protect their land.

Soldiers believe that potential negotiations are unlikely to conclude the war, but could rather lead to a temporary ceasefire ahead of new attacks from Russia.

"Ultimately, the result would be a cessation of active combat operations — this would be the first sign of any kind of regulation," said soldier Dmitry Lovienyuk from the 148th Brigade.

The war has already lasted four years, and many soldiers have retained their civilian jobs, hoping to return to the army. With mobilization that is faltering, and the war dragging on, finding new recruits is difficult.

Soldiers are waiting for the possibility of a pause in combat activities. When negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in April, they cautiously received the news, but now hope has faded into black humor.

"We are on our land. We have no way back," said the commander of the artillery group Dmitry Lovienyuk.

In the northern part of the Zaporizhzhia region, heavy fighting continues near Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian troops still hold the area, despite ongoing attacks.

Soldiers from the Spartan Brigade are actively training, preparing for combat conditions. They have no illusions about a quick end to the war.

The commander of the battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" Sergey Filimonov believes that the war is not over yet, and resources for maintaining the military are still being secured.

"We are preparing for a prolonged war. There are no illusions that Russia will stop," he emphasized.

Soldiers from the 68th Brigade noted that as soon as new rounds of negotiations begin, combat operations in Pokrovsk will intensify.

Tags: Ukraine/Russia/Politics