Anthony Loyd, Senior Foreign Correspondent for The Times, discusses a failed mission in Ukraine and the challenges faced by troops. The podcast explores a tense firefight on the frontline, measuring Ukraine's success in the war, societal response, and the fight for survival.
The Ukrainian forces face challenges due to delays in receiving support from their Western partners, leading to a perception that they are given enough to avoid losing, but not enough to achieve victory.
The war in Ukraine has created mixed feelings within Ukrainian society, with some soldiers critical of those who avoid conscription, while others are more understanding of the difficulties and sacrifices involved.
Deep dives
Nighttime patrol along the river
During a visit to Ukraine, the war correspondent Anthony Lloyd joined a reconnaissance patrol group tasked with conducting nighttime reconnaissance missions across the river. The patrol encountered a significant Russian position, leading to a fierce firefight and resulting in casualties.
The challenges of warfare in Ukraine
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a prolonged war with no quick resolution in sight. The Ukrainian forces face challenges due to delays in receiving support from their Western partners, leading to a perception that they are given enough to avoid losing, but not enough to achieve victory. The Ukrainian military has gone through multiple generations of soldiers, with the regular army and mobilized reservists being heavily depleted. The war has now entered a stage where mobilized civilians, including conscripted males, make up the majority of the Ukrainian forces.
Attitudes towards the war and conscription
While there is broad public support for the war against Russian aggression, there are many individuals who try to avoid conscription due to fear and personal concerns. Corruption and attempts to evade military service have been highlighted, with some individuals paying significant amounts to obtain fake medical certificates. However, there are also those who willingly join the military, understanding the need to defend their country despite not wanting to be soldiers. The war has created mixed feelings within Ukrainian society, with some soldiers critical of those who avoid conscription, while others are more understanding of the difficulties and sacrifices involved.
We bring you the story of one Ukrainian command post as a patrol runs into chaos on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river, with Anthony Loyd who returned from reporting there last week. Plus, what should we make of the state of the war?
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Guest: Anthony Loyd, Senior Foreign Correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Articles: A firefight erupts and soldiers watch on a drone feed as their comrades fall - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-firefight-erupts-and-soldiers-watch-on-a-drone-feed-as-their-comrades-fall-mv9tbnw0c
Ukraine draft dodgers dream up extreme ways to avoid the front - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-draft-dodgers-dream-up-extreme-ways-to-avoid-the-front-p87kdjxgj