Seven Ukrainian troops describe the intense final days before their withdrawal from Avdiivka, Russia’s biggest victory in more than a year.
From left to right: Bandit, 27, a machine gunner in Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade; Schultz, 23, a soldier in Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade who held a firing position inside a residential building in Avdiivka; and Shved, 44, a soldier in Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade who was evacuated after suffering from three concussions, but was concussed again when a drone struck his evacuation vehicle on his way out of the city. DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — On Feb.
Russian troops backed Major into the corner of a room and screamed at him to surrender. He played along and begged them not to shoot as he frantically looked for a way out. When his group finally left the city entirely, he watched the convoy in front of him erupt into fire as artillery took them out. “It was just a convoy of people. A convoy of the best men ever. And in front of our eyes, this convoy was destroyed by artillery. People of my age, between 20 and 30.”Schultz arrived at his position in Avdiivka early in the morning on Feb. 9 and was working with Major inside the two-story dorm.
Although his troops were scheduled to leave in shifts at 4:30 a.m., the lost troops were allowed to evacuate first. “These 30 minutes, or even an hour, were very crucial. It was a great risk for us,” he said.“I believe the order should have been given earlier,” he added. “Even five hours earlier would’ve made a difference.”Shved, a marksman, was constantly moving between positions in Avdiivka, shooting so many Russian troops he said he “lost count after 10.
A drone crashed into his window but got stuck on a wire frame, snapped into pieces and didn’t explode.
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