With the Russian positions less than a kilometer away, we are on the very front of the Ukrainian resistance.
The soldiers of the Sarmat Battalion were dug underground, holding a small part of this long line.
The front in this war stretches more than 300 miles down the eastern part of the country.
The lines and trenches that mark them were drawn years ago.
Image: Lieutenant Denis Gordeev of the Ukrainian Battalion Sarmat has been fighting in the eastern part of the country since 2014.
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Following the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014, this is a disputed land between Russian-backed separatists and Ukraine.
We are located near the village of Piski, just northwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk.
The village is one of many that are dotted on this front. Beyond it are the trenches and beyond them the Russian line.
The artillery is regular and close. “A few hundred meters away,” said a soldier as the last circle fell. He seems indifferent.
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1:42 “Russians will meet fierce resistance in Donbass” Image: Trench near the village of Piski, which is northwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk
The platoon commander of this unit has been fighting in the area since 2014.
Lieutenant Denis Gordeev soon graduated from the Faculty of Law when his focus shifted to defending his country.
The new Russian invasion and this new eastern offensive only solidified his resolve.
Image: The situation on the 55th day of the war in Ukraine
“I know why I’m here. This is my life, the lives of my children, my children, my wife and my Ukrainian people, “he told me.
“I am Ukrainian. I cannot lose my country now. The enemy wants to destroy it, my district. Not only the cities, not only killing people, but also destroying my nation.”
“Is that why your morale seems so high?” I am asking.
“Yes,” he replies.
Image: The narrow living quarters of Ukrainian soldiers near Piski
He shows us the anti-tank missiles delivered by the British.
“Yes, it’s a really good weapon for me,” he said, adding that they needed it more urgently.
I ask if there has been a change in the pace of attacks on his position since the Russians announced the start of the new offensive.
“Not yet, but it’s only been a day,” he replies.
“Only day one. We don’t know what we have tomorrow, but every night we feel more bombings, more missile attacks.”
Our conversation was interrupted by a much louder explosion.
“We have to go in now,” he says in a slightly more insistent voice.
Image: Troops cover up when there is a strong explosion nearby
The next 20 minutes are spent in the cramped living quarters. It’s like a World War I movie, but the ongoing thuds outside remind us that this is not the case.
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The Russians regrouped on the land beyond us. All their forces are now concentrated in this part of the country.
But this new offensive will not be quick. The assessment here is that these are just preliminary blows for a much bigger attack in the coming weeks.
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Some of the soldiers have been here, fighting and sleeping for the last year.
There is more chatter outside. “Again and again and again. All the time, “says Dennis.
They are tired and lack weapons, but on their own land and against an invader, they believe they will win.
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