Bakhmut hangs by thread; US soldier who fought there reflects on losses
counteroffensive.substack.com
A former U.S. military servicemember now fighting for Ukrainian forces recalls the sacrifices, the optimism, and the stress of his multiple deployments into the eastern Ukrainian city.
Seeing the complete destruction of yet another entire Ukrainian city never ceases to gut me. The spirit of the city survives, though, and will rise again. The evil enemy has already lost in all the things that are important. Slava Ukraine.
After all this time, one thing has become very apparent. The Ukranian forces know what they are doing. Bakhmut is a low value target. Whether it is in Ukrainian or Russian hands, makes little difference, especially now that it has been reduced to rubble. Ukraine fights for homeland. Russia fights because Putin says they must.
Hi Tim, great piece. How do I get in direct contact with you? I’m the foreign editor of PBS NewsHour and would like to chat about having you on the program tonight, May 22. I’m on MTill@newshour.org
Thanks for the insight you got from the US serviceman and his feelings. Well done! Also the pic of the dog - even tho I’m a cat person! Take care, Tim - ❤️ your writing. 🫶🇺🇸🇺🇦
Thanks. Great story. How much Ukrainian (or Russian) do American or other foreign volunteers, such as Mr. Montano, need to operate effectively within the Ukrainian military? Are these guys grouped together like mini Lincoln Brigades, or just distributed throughout the force as needed?
Seeing the complete destruction of yet another entire Ukrainian city never ceases to gut me. The spirit of the city survives, though, and will rise again. The evil enemy has already lost in all the things that are important. Slava Ukraine.
Wonderful reporting. Thanks for covering this so well -- on your own. Huge loss for NPR. Our gain.
Inspiring to hear the resilience of these brave people defending their turf and freedom.
Thank you!
After all this time, one thing has become very apparent. The Ukranian forces know what they are doing. Bakhmut is a low value target. Whether it is in Ukrainian or Russian hands, makes little difference, especially now that it has been reduced to rubble. Ukraine fights for homeland. Russia fights because Putin says they must.
Good stuff, Tim.
Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦! Thank you Tim.
Hi Tim, great piece. How do I get in direct contact with you? I’m the foreign editor of PBS NewsHour and would like to chat about having you on the program tonight, May 22. I’m on MTill@newshour.org
Thanks! Morgan
A continuing thank you for your reporting. I hope you get enough subscribers to stay on the story!
Thanks for the insight you got from the US serviceman and his feelings. Well done! Also the pic of the dog - even tho I’m a cat person! Take care, Tim - ❤️ your writing. 🫶🇺🇸🇺🇦
Devastating. Please stay safe, Tim. You are our eyes and ears.
Thanks. Great story. How much Ukrainian (or Russian) do American or other foreign volunteers, such as Mr. Montano, need to operate effectively within the Ukrainian military? Are these guys grouped together like mini Lincoln Brigades, or just distributed throughout the force as needed?
Thank you Tim. Great reporting, getting to the heart of the matter.
Tim,
Great article - still can't run the video in either chrome or edge. Can you post the Twitter link?
TIA,
Frank