‘They shell us every day’, says one of the 20 remaining residents of Huliaipilske near Zaporizhzhia
Seen from above, the shapes were unmistakeable. A group of Russian soldiers were advancing on foot. They were moving stealthily across an expanse of fields and scrubby trees. “We couldn’t believe our eyes,” Viktor, a Ukrainian drone operator, said. “The attack happened 10 days ago. They didn’t bring any tanks or armoured vehicles.”
The troops – about 40 of them – had been sent across the southern frontline, not far from the Ukrainian-held village of Huliaipilske. Viktor sent their coordinates back to base. Another unit hit them with mortars. The glassy winter landscape offered little cover. Many Russians died. The others retreated, dragging the injured with them.
