Amid the abrupt and sometimes chaotic withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the city of Avdiivka, one horrifying story has emerged of several injured soldiers who did not escape — and were later killed as Russian troops reached their position.
Ivan Zhytnyk, 30, whose call sign is “Django,” had been fighting in Avdiivka for nearly two years, as had the 110th Brigade.
The junior sergeant and combat medic was badly injured and could not move. But on Thursday, he reached his sister Kateryna and other family members in an emotional video call, which has since received widespread coverage on Ukrainian and social media.
Kateryna asks her brother: “So, what, they… no one is coming? Your guys are there too [with you], or are you alone?”
Django replied: “Everyone left, everyone retreated. They told us that a car would pick us up. I have two broken legs, shrapnel in my back. I can’t do anything…
He said there were six soldiers at the position, called Zenit. “Four people who are like me can’t walk either,” he told his sister.
Kateryna responds: “I don’t know how to… who to call (crying)… I can’t figure it out. Who will pick you up?”
No-one did.
On Friday, a video was posted by a Russian military blogger that showed the bodies of several of the soldiers. The video carried the emblem of the Russian Army’s 1st Slavic Brigade, which had entered the area south of Avdiivka two days earlier, according to multiple accounts.
The text on the video says: “February 16, 2024. Military Unit facility, Avdeevka. Ukrnazi, only death is waiting for you at our land.”
Kateryna said she recognized Ivan’s body by his clothes and the water bottle he held.
Source link: https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-02-19-24/index.html