It is quite difficult to conduct objective assessment of the information on the events in the Dontesk Airport and Pesky village. The news are mostly reported by the people who are not there and who are getting the information by phone. Some are actually present there and are frightened because they were never to a war like this before. Some are spreading the panic deliberately. However, the majority is panicking instinctively, as if they are not aware that the panic is the most effective instrument to manipulate people.

A group of fighters has come from the Desna military training center to the base of the 5th Battalion of the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps [DUK] of the Pravyy Sektor [the Right Sector] Political Movement. They automatically become a reserve unit upon their arrival. That is why Brother Hatylo, commander of the battalion, came from Pesky village to meet a newcomer platoon and understand people’s skills.

Here are his words on the situation at the frontline:

“I am shocked with all the disinformation about what is going on at the frontline. The panic is spreading in enormous amounts and with an enormous speed. Somebody is telling us that “all is handed over to the enemy”, “Pesky village is surrounded ”, “we are beleaguered”, etc. In other words: “we lost this war”.

Nothing of the kind! No doubt, the intensity of the attacks has increased incredibly. Comparing to what was going on three weeks ago, we can say that the truce was really working by then. Now we are shelled permanently. Primarily with BM-21 Grads. We are responding quite well. Sometimes is it actually difficult to tell who is shelling: ‘we’ or ‘they’.

There are wounded, mostly with shrapnel wounds. Guys just do not have time to run for shelter. [Hatylo smiles, speaking to his soldiers]: So I am limping now, and you think that I am a hero and all that stuff… The truth is that I was running for shelter so fast, that I slipped on a floor and fell. Well, things happen and this is irrelevant. What is relevant is that my sword brethren have two tasks: to win this war, and not to die in Pesky. Do you understand?!

Fighting goes on in the Donetsk Airport. Nobody has handed over the New terminal. It simply does not exist anymore as a building.

The number of the servicemen at the frontline has increased significantly. We all are working to improve their efficiency. And, believe me, we are all very upset with the fact that back in the rear people are whining about how bad things are. We need people’s support and trust in the abilities and the skill of the Ukrainian Army. And everything will be all right then.”

Original article by Ruta Pushkaruk, translated by Xoxa, edited by Gennadiy Kornev.