Mud, Mice, And Misery: Ukraine's Forces Prepare For Another Winter In The Trenches

A Ukrainian soldier of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade eyes the perimeter at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on October 26.

As the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its 21st month, neither side has significantly changed the front lines, resulting in both sides entrenching their positions in what is being called a form of static warfare.
 

RFE/RL photographer Serhiy Nuzhnenko traveled to the front in the Donetsk region as Ukrainian forces prepared for another grueling winter. There, he met with the soldiers manning the trenches.

A Ukrainian soldier with the call sign "Lypa" pours water from a kettle underground. For these soldiers, the conflict has resorted to holding their positions as the wet winter weather begins to arrive.

"God is on our side. We did not invade (Russia)," Lypa said.

 

"God, let me survive this difficult winter, and in the spring, victory will be ours," Lypa said. "I just want it as soon as possible so that fewer guys die."

A Ukrainian soldier shovels the thick mud from the trench that he shares with other soldiers.

Despite Kyiv's forces recapturing more than 50 percent of the territory seized since the start of the invasion, Russia still occupies 18 percent of Ukraine. 

A member of the assault brigade walks the perimeter.

Large-scale attacks are becoming less successful as both sides rely on drones, night-vision equipment, and electronic signal intelligence to monitor troop advances. Kyiv says Russian forces are continuing their effort to encircle the eastern city of Avdiyivka, however.
 

A soldier enjoys his cigarette in silence.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says Moscow is "likely" preparing for another wave of highly "attritional" infantry-led ground assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Avdiyivka area, which has been under massive Russian shelling.

Lypa points out another battle these soldiers face, the constant flooding of their trenches that must be shoveled out.

"When the battle begins, you must stand in the cold water and fight," he said

With the rain coming down, a soldier spends a few quiet moments stroking a cat that lives among them.

"He has already caught two mice, and we are letting the other mice rest," the soldier said.

Lypa inspects a new position that was prepared especially for the upcoming winter.

The small, nearly enclosed area where a soldier sleeps.

Stray dogs walk near the soldiers' position.
 

"I was on leave, and the coffee shops were full of young guys sitting there, and they are still sitting there," Anatoliy said as he pauses, while digging a trench. "Civilians have forgotten about the war."