Stepan Golian, a Ukrainian Special Forces soldier, endured sleepless nights in preparation for a combat operation against the pro-Kremlin mercenary Wagner Group near the city of Bakhmut. Golian, an engineer by profession, joined the military in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leaving behind his family. His unit’s mission in mid-April was to reclaim a crucial road connecting Bakhmut to vital supply routes. Despite facing heavy losses and formidable Russian artillery, Golian’s group advanced through treacherous trenches, often flooded and damaged by artillery fire. They relied on grenades and scavenged weaponry, all while contending with enemy drones guiding artillery strikes. In the midst of intense combat, Golian’s emotions were suppressed as he focused on survival and skills acquired over time. His experiences have left him emotionally numb, with a sense of indifference towards both positive and negative emotions, as he acknowledges the profound impact of the war on every Ukrainian soldier.

Best Coverage: https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-special-forces-recaptured-bakhmut-trenches-attack-russia-wounded-2023-11?amp