Ukraine's troops dying over US aid cut-off, say soldiers on front line
Soldiers revealed how they are feeling the pressure of dwindling American supplies and the looming summer months, when battles usually become more ferocious, and fear they have lost any remaining initiative.
But their view on the war has become even more pessimistic following President Trump's announcement on Wednesday that the US would cease to provide intelligence to Ukraine, and morale is dangerously low.
'We are not the ones advancing over the last few months,' said combat medic Slava, 27, speaking from a village on the border between Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions.
'It's sad to say, but we don't have initiative on the battlefield any more.'
US support is a crucial component of Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian missiles and launch long-range strikes.
Intelligence from Washington, meanwhile, has proved vital not just for Ukraine's ability to attack deep-lying Russian positions or defend its own, but also in protecting civilians.
'I am going to say honestly how it is: everything is bad and it's going to be worse, but we need to keep working and pushing,' said Artem – not his real name – a 30-year-old medic who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
Artem, who ferries injured soldiers to and from the front lines, said that he had noticed a '20 per cent' increase in casualties in recent weeks.
'I think that the number will rapidly grow even more,' he added. 'On top of this it is getting warmer. Better weather conditions means a higher intensity of fighting.'
The White House said on Wednesday that it would consider restoring military aid if President Zelensky returned to the negotiating table.
It was later reported that Mr Zelensky had agreed to further peace talks with the Trump administration after Washington ceased its sharing of battlefield intelligence.
But those serving on the front lines in Donetsk said even if the aid resumes, it could be too little, too late to hold off further Russian advances.
'The front line is not stable any more. It is not a line, but a zigzag, which makes it more difficult to defend,' said Slava.
'Drones are the main issue. It is impossible to drive to evacuation points often and impossible to stop driving to give a patient the full care they need.'
'I want the world to know that more people are dying because of it,' said Artem, referring to the dwindling US support.
Slava added that now is 'not the time' to suspend the sharing of intelligence, saying that the move was a 'gamble' with the fate of her country.
'It's not the time to appease the enemy. This step shows once again that the Republicans are for Russia.'
According to Artem, the intensity on the battlefield has become increasingly ferocious since the end of US aid.
'The workload is absolutely insane. I have been in touch with other medics and everyone is saying they are overwhelmed,' he said. 'We all have an empty look in our eyes because of everything.'
Aleksander, a 34-year-old soldier who has served on the front line for three years with no rotation, said morale was running low.
'Honestly, the morale situation is tough in the third year, but we are holding on. I did not go to fight for just anyone. I went for my family.'
On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said he wants to see 'an end to the war once and for all' and agreed to return to the negotiation table.
But Artem said that any deal with Russia that does not acknowledge the damage inflicted on Ukraine by Moscow's armies would be a mockery of those who died defending their country.
'In that case I would wonder what it was all for,' he said. 'Freedom is not free.'
Those serving on the front lines vowed to The Telegraph that they would keep fighting until a deal is agreed that they believe is fair to their country.
'There is no other way for us. It's either we keep fighting, or we cease existing,' said Slava.
Aleksander said that although Ukraine's prospects look bleak, its soldiers have managed to pull through before.
'I want to say that as long as this war continues, we have a single chance to win – because we may never get another one,' he said.
'The Russians thought they would take Kyiv in three days, but they failed, and now this has been going on for three years. We need to get through this period.'
Slava expressed fears that Ukraine is now 'the country that stops the overflow of Russian influence' and wondered what a deal that favours Russia could mean for Europe.
'Once our defence is destroyed, the rest of Europe is next. Russia will never stop.'
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