To the Ukrainian soldiers facing off with advancing Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, the recent flurry ofreports on possible cease-fire talksdoesnt hold much sway, they say.
Well into the fourth year of Russia's war on Ukraine, with strikes and counterstrikes escalating in scale and technological sophistication, says one soldier, any real prospect for peace seems remote.
When asked what he would personally do if a cease-fire was declared, the frontline artillery crew member said, "There won't be one. Everything indicates that the fight will go on to the end. At a minimum, they plan to capture the whole Donetsk region."
He cites the rise in frequency of both Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities -- which have ramped up 30 percent in recent weeks, according to Ukrainian officials -- and the continued pushes by ground troops to take more Ukrainian territory.
This combat unit, which operates Zuzana 2 Howitzers, focus on groups of Russian troops and equipment, occasionally targeting command centers, often spotted by aerial drones.
