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Ukrainian prisoners prepare to fight Russians for a chance at freedom

by Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko and Nick Allard October 11, 2024 8:30 PM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Several months ago, most of these infantrymen were serving their sentences behind bars. Now, they are part of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion, known as "Da Vinci." The Kyiv Independent spent a day with the unit, learning about what motivates former prisoners to become soldiers and what challenges their command faces in making them effective fighters.

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10:27 PM

Russia ramps up attacks near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says.

"Recently, they (Russian soldiers) have become more active. We have successfully repelled the assaults, we are holding the line, but the enemy is trying to break through our defense line and reach our positions and gain a foothold in some positions daily," said Mykola Koval, the spokesperson of Ukraine's National Guard's Chervona Kalyna brigade.
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