Debaltseve. Three Stories from a Train Station. Story I

The reconnaissance battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine, named after Serhiy Kulchytsky. There are only a few of them – only 10. But they all speak with respect about their military unit. They perform the most dangerous assignments and work inside enemy territory. Their tasks include gathering intelligence about the enemy’s movement of men and equipment, eliminating subversive groups and conduct operational searches. The unit is full of ideological people. The average age of the men is about 35-38 years old. All are successful, they have businesses, kids. They are not interested in money or recognition. They are here because they are confident that this is where their place should be during this country’s difficult time. In their own words, Russia has opened up a criminal case against each of them and there is now a reward for their heads. But they do not hide their faces and are not afraid of the enemy. “We do not take life, we save it” – this is how they articular their intelligence missions.