CONFLICTED Inside the Trenches of Ukraine
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Dec 25, 2025 Jakub Jaitzai, a former Slovak Army officer and volunteer infantryman in Ukraine, shares gripping insights from his 18-month frontline experience. He reveals the stark realities of trench warfare, blending fear, boredom, and adrenaline. Jakub contrasts NATO training with Ukrainian military realities and discusses the challenges of modern warfare, including the role of drones. He critiques popular misconceptions in Western media and reflects on the morale and motivations of Ukrainian fighters, all while contemplating the complex dynamics of potential peace negotiations with Russia.
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From Academia To The Trenches
- Jakub left his PhD and served ~18 months with a regular Ukrainian infantry battalion, mostly ordinary Ukrainian soldiers and few foreigners.
- He spent two tours as an infantryman and a final tour working with FPV strike drone operators.
NATO Professionalism Stands Out
- Jakub judges NATO militaries as professionally superior to both Russian and Ukrainian forces based on front-line observations and video feeds.
- He argues NATO training quality matters and would perform well in similar conflicts.
Spartan Trench Rotations
- Rotations were brutal: two to three days in trenches 200–300m from Russian positions, then short rest in abandoned towns with poor supplies.
- Living conditions improved over time but were Spartan during early tours.