In brief
A recent report provides an in-depth look at the courageous endeavors of the 126th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces as they conduct nighttime operations across the Dnipro River, battling against Russian forces.
As night cloaks southern Kherson province, the tension rises among Ukrainian soldiers poised for a critical mission across the Dnipro River. A group of infantrymen huddles around a makeshift table inside a fortified position, pouring over maps, preparing for a high-risk operation. Among them is Vyshyty, a deputy company commander, who outlines their objectives with palpable urgency: “If they retreat, you hold positions, give them covering fire, and evacuate the heavily wounded.”The 126th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces is a formidable segment of Ukraine's military, distinguished by its training from elite British special operations forces. For nearly two years, these soldiers have courageously undertaken cross-river operations, collaborating with marine infantry brigades and special intelligence units, as they fight against the encroaching Russian forces in the southern region.In a superb display of bravery, a team of reporters was granted rare access to observe the 126th Brigade during several operations this spring. This accompanying media team documented various missions that had largely remained undisclosed, providing a window into the harrowing reality experienced by these dedicated troops. Security protocols limited some details, with soldiers only identified by first names or call signs.Visual documentation highlights the intensity of the missions. One poignant image captures the brigade members pushing their boat into the forbidding waters of the Dnipro. Meanwhile, another scene, seen through night-vision equipment, underscores the soldiers' resolve as they take cover along the treacherous shoreline, poised for action against an uncertain fate.
