Amidst the harrowing realities of a prolonged conflict, Ukraine’s 24th Mechanised Brigade stands as a testament to resilience and unwavering dedication. As the war continues with no clear end in sight, BBC Newsnight offers an intimate look into the lives of these soldiers and the communities they hail from.
For “Jimmy,” an experienced Ukrainian officer who’s seen years of active service, reflecting on survival amid the wreckage of a war-torn landscape is a profound experience. He mused, “I’m a lucky man… as I see it, war can either love people or not.”
Jimmy commands the 24th Mechanised Brigade, a unit with a storied history in Ukraine’s armed forces. Originally part of the old regular Ukrainian army, the brigade has been in a relentless battle with Russian forces since 2014. However, since the invasion of February 2022, the brigade has undergone a radical transformation, witnessing its ranks swell and its mission evolve.
BBC Newsnight spent two weeks in August alongside the 24th Brigade, now stationed in the Donbas region, an industrial heartland in eastern Ukraine. They occupy a segment of the front between Bakhmut and Horlivka, not far from where they were originally garrisoned.
This unit’s leader, known by the nickname “Jimmy” as per the Ukrainian army’s request to protect identities, commands a company that typically consists of around 120 troops. He stepped into this role last year, a testament to the challenges faced as numerous officers have either been promoted or became casualties.
Before the war, the 24th Brigade had just over 2,000 soldiers, with battalions rotating in and out of the front lines for periodic tours of duty. However, the Ukrainian army’s size has expanded dramatically since the invasion, now exceeding 7,000 soldiers. This includes five infantry battalions, four artillery battalions, a tank battalion, and various other supporting units.
In this mobilization, the regular soldiers were joined by thousands of volunteers and conscripts. Among these volunteers is “Yurii,” a young venture capitalist from Kyiv. Initially assigned to the infantry with a rifle, Yurii was later transferred to the 24th Brigade’s drone unit, responsible for guiding strike drones into enemy positions. His mother’s initial skepticism about his choice to join the army transformed into pride as she witnessed his role in taking the fight to the Russians.
These volunteers, including Yurii, are bound by contract to serve until the war’s end and are granted only 10 days of leave per year. Remarkably, Yurii earns less in the military, approximately £2,600 ($3,195) monthly, compared to his civilian life income.
One notable difference between the pre-2022 army and the current force is the willingness to overlook factors like age when accepting volunteers. Among the soldiers they met, BBC Newsnight encountered “Hryb,” a 52-year-old sergeant who had served in the army over 30 years ago. Assigned to operate self-propelled artillery guns, Hryb’s previous experience with these weapons dated back to his service with the Soviet Army in East Germany in the early 1990s. Their ancient artillery pieces, nicknamed “Grandma,” are the same kind Hryb once commanded.
Despite the challenges and sacrifices, the soldiers of the 24th Brigade exemplify the resilience and determination of Ukrainian society as a whole. They stand united, prepared for a prolonged conflict, echoing their commitment to fighting for their homeland and the pursuit of victory.
However, the toll of this ongoing battle is undeniable. Casualty figures remain a closely guarded secret in Ukraine, but the Pentagon estimated that approximately 70,000 Ukrainians had lost their lives in the war, a significant majority of them being military personnel. The 24th Brigade alone has lost hundreds of its soldiers, with many more captured.
As the conflict continues to exact its toll, Ukrainian society remains firmly mobilized, with victory as the only acceptable outcome. Behind the scenes, families grapple with the anguish of soldiers returning to the front, and society as a whole endures the profound impact of this prolonged conflict.
Despite the pain and loss, the soldiers and their families remain resolute, unwavering in their commitment to securing Ukraine’s future. Their collective spirit is a testament to the nation’s unwavering determination to protect its sovereignty and uphold its values in the face of adversity.
