Ukraine’s attack on Russian positions around the town of Bakhmut has resulted in increased casualties, putting further pressure on medics working on the front line. Although it is not possible to verify exact numbers of dead and wounded, Russia, which rarely confirms its losses, admitted to losing 71 soldiers in three days, indicating the intensity of the fighting.
Kiev has not publicly disclosed the number of casualties, but AFP journalists have observed Ukrainian military medics treating wounded soldiers at a “stabilization point” near the front line. There, medics are struggling to keep soldiers with head and chest wounds, amputations, and severe blood loss alive as they await transfer to the hospital.
During short breaks in the night shift, the medics explain the role of the medical unit of the 24th mechanized brigade, which is fighting to drive the enemy out of the Donetsk region. A surgeon named Bogdan, his face marked by fatigue and worry, describes the serious work being done by the medics in the trenches, where comrades-in-arms help each other with tourniquets while the combat medics do their work.
These medics and paramedics work in the dark with flashlights to avoid detection by enemy spotters and drones. Bloodied bandages pile up on the floor next to stretchers and surgical tables. An amputated foot can be seen next to a bin full of abandoned boots. One of the doctors struggles to place a catheter in a burly man with bandaged stumps where he once had an arm and leg.
Many of these health professionals worked in civilian settings before the war, but since the Russian invasion began 16 months ago, they have witnessed increasingly intense scenes. Although they try to remain calm and efficient, they admit that there are times when emotions come to the surface.
Apparently, with the start of the expected Ukrainian offensive, both foreign allies and civilians must be patient and respect the sacrifices of the soldiers. Although Ukrainians are longing for a counter-offensive and to be able to return to their former lives, they are suffering heavy losses in blood and pain. It is a huge and difficult war, so this is not the time to get carried away.