After 225 days stuck in a front-line foxhole, the Ukrainian infantryman's muscles were so weak he could barely walk.
His commanders had tried five times to swap him with another soldier - but they could never reach him. Rotating soldiers on the front line in eastern Ukraine is extremely difficult because of the constant threat of drones.
This area near Kostyantynivka is currently one of the most dangerous hotspots and the Ukrainian military admits that Russian forces have reached its outskirts.
Known as Kenya, the infantryman took two days to walk 11km (6.8 miles) to get back to his brigade, avoiding mines and hiding from drones to get out.
Ukraine's 93rd brigade has the job of defending Kostyantynivka and its surrounding towns and villages from Russia's advance. If this highly strategic city falls, Moscow will be able to push towards the last remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region – Kramatorsk and Sloviansk – from the north, east and south.
Most fighting is now conducted using drones, transforming the dynamics of warfare as ground troops find their roles increasingly nuanced amidst technological advancements. In this conflict, speed over mechanical armor often dictates survival within the perilous kill-zone.
"Every time when we had to come out of our positions, we prayed we would come back alive," said Kenya. Drones, while powerful in reconnaissance and engagement, cannot occupy territory. Thus, the timeless principle remains: without boots on the ground, an army cannot hold the ground.
Ukrainian soldiers are now hidden in tiny foxholes, tasked with maintaining a physical presence, marking territory, and waiting for further orders. The struggle for survival is evident as they endure harsh conditions, limited supplies, and the ever-present dangers of drone warfare.
The commentary concludes that despite modern warfare's reliance on technology, it ultimately hinges on the steadfastness of individual soldiers who bear the immense burden of holding Ukraine's lines against invading forces.
