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On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attack

Updated 11:48 PM EST, Tue February 15, 2022
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Denis, a soldier in the Ukrainian army, holds a machine gun in Marinka, Ukraine. The 38-year-old was previously a welder. Now he's on the front lines just a few hundred yards away from Russian-backed separatists.
On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attack
Denis, a soldier in the Ukrainian army, holds a machine gun in Marinka, Ukraine. The 38-year-old was previously a welder. Now he's on the front lines just a few hundred yards away from Russian-backed separatists.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN

Updated 0448 GMT (1248 HKT) February 16, 2022

About 500 yards away from Russian-backed separatists, a group of Ukrainian soldiers waits for a fight it's sure is coming.

And the men are strangely relaxed about it all, according to photographer Timothy Fadek, who spent time with the soldiers on the front lines in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region.

"They have embraced the inevitability," Fadek said. "I was talking to one of the soldiers and he said: 'It's inevitable. We've accepted this inevitability of an attack.' And then there was a little bit of an argument between two soldiers. One said, 'The Russians will not come across the border, they will attack from the sea,' meaning the Sea of Azov. Another soldier disagreed with both those assessments and said, 'No, the attack will come from Belarus.' "

But while they might not agree with where an attack will come from, they are all 100% convinced it is going to happen.

"They've resigned themselves," Fadek said. "But they're extremely relaxed. There is not a hint of nervousness in their faces. They're ready to fight. They've been ready for many years now. They don't want to. I asked them, 'Do you want this war?' And they're like, 'Of course not.' "

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, with a Russian troop buildup near the border spurring fears Moscow could soon launch an invasion. The Kremlin has denied it is planning to attack, arguing NATO support for Ukraine constitutes a growing threat on Russia's western flank.

In Muratove, a Ukrainian town about a 20-minute drive from the front lines, people are much more nervous than the soldiers, Fadek said. But they, too, seem to be resigned to their fate.

When asked what he thinks about the possibility of an attack, one farmer shrugged his shoulders.

"It will happen," he said, "but there's nothing anyone can do to stop it."

Fighters with the Right Sector, a paramilitary organization that has also become a political party, eat lunch at the group's headquarters in Novohrodivka, Ukraine. The Right Sector formed in 2013 during the Maidan revolution in Kyiv, and in 2014 and 2015 it fought many battles against Russian-supported separatists.
Fighters with the Right Sector, a paramilitary organization that has also become a political party, eat lunch at the group's headquarters in Novohrodivka, Ukraine. The Right Sector formed in 2013 during the Maidan revolution in Kyiv, and in 2014 and 2015 it fought many battles against Russian-supported separatists.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian soldiers walk past a destroyed building in Marinka.
Ukrainian soldiers walk past a destroyed building in Marinka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian Navy Capt. Oleksandr Hrigorevskiy stands on the dock of Mariupol's port with his ship, the Donbas, behind him. "I don't expect a war at sea with the Russians," he said.
Ukrainian Navy Capt. Oleksandr Hrigorevskiy stands on the dock of Mariupol's port with his ship, the Donbas, behind him. "I don't expect a war at sea with the Russians," he said.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainians coming from the separatist-held territory stop at the Novotroitskoye checkpoint.
Ukrainians coming from the separatist-held territory stop at the Novotroitskoye checkpoint.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Anna Yvleva, a 30-year-old member of the Ukrainian military, commands an infantry squad of six men. She is married to an officer in the same battalion. Her four children are being cared for by their grandmother while their parents are deployed on the front lines. Yvleva told photographer Timothy Fadek she was a teacher before she joined the military four years ago.
Anna Yvleva, a 30-year-old member of the Ukrainian military, commands an infantry squad of six men. She is married to an officer in the same battalion. Her four children are being cared for by their grandmother while their parents are deployed on the front lines. Yvleva told photographer Timothy Fadek she was a teacher before she joined the military four years ago.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Zoya Kralya, 66, is one of the last remaining residents of Vodyane, Ukraine, a tiny hamlet in the Donetsk area. Ever since her husband died a few years ago, she has lived alone and tends to her goats and a number of dogs and cats. "If there is war, I will shelter in the basement, stocked with food and water in case I have to be underground for weeks," she told Fadek. "The conflict in 2014 and 2015 was the worst thing I experienced in my life. I don't want to live through it again."
Zoya Kralya, 66, is one of the last remaining residents of Vodyane, Ukraine, a tiny hamlet in the Donetsk area. Ever since her husband died a few years ago, she has lived alone and tends to her goats and a number of dogs and cats. "If there is war, I will shelter in the basement, stocked with food and water in case I have to be underground for weeks," she told Fadek. "The conflict in 2014 and 2015 was the worst thing I experienced in my life. I don't want to live through it again."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian soldiers are posted in Marinka.
Ukrainian soldiers are posted in Marinka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A member of the Ukrainian military holds a periscope as he climbs down from a lookout point near Shyrokyne, Ukraine.
A member of the Ukrainian military holds a periscope as he climbs down from a lookout point near Shyrokyne, Ukraine.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Local residents drive past an apartment building in Marinka. The building was badly damaged during fighting in 2015 between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists.
Local residents drive past an apartment building in Marinka. The building was badly damaged during fighting in 2015 between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier mans a gunner position in a front-line trench in Avdiivka, Ukraine.
A Ukrainian soldier mans a gunner position in a front-line trench in Avdiivka, Ukraine.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier is seen at a front-line position in Marinka.
A Ukrainian soldier is seen at a front-line position in Marinka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian soldiers take shelter in a front-line trench in Pisky, Ukraine. This trench was about 100 meters (109 yards) from separatist positions, Fadek said.
Ukrainian soldiers take shelter in a front-line trench in Pisky, Ukraine. This trench was about 100 meters (109 yards) from separatist positions, Fadek said.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Boys fish for carp and perch in Marinka. "They don't read the news and have no opinion about the Russian military buildup," Fadek said. "But they said their parents were extremely worried and watch television news constantly."
Boys fish for carp and perch in Marinka. "They don't read the news and have no opinion about the Russian military buildup," Fadek said. "But they said their parents were extremely worried and watch television news constantly."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that, in some areas, is only 50 meters (about 55 yards) from the separatist trenches.
A Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that, in some areas, is only 50 meters (about 55 yards) from the separatist trenches.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Zhanna, 42, is a lieutenant and doctor in the Ukrainian army, based in Avdiivka. Before joining the army last year, she was a pediatric physician in a local hospital. Her husband is an officer in the army. "I'm not sure that there will be an attack by Russia," she said, "but I am ready to treat the soldiers in case they are wounded in fighting."
Zhanna, 42, is a lieutenant and doctor in the Ukrainian army, based in Avdiivka. Before joining the army last year, she was a pediatric physician in a local hospital. Her husband is an officer in the army. "I'm not sure that there will be an attack by Russia," she said, "but I am ready to treat the soldiers in case they are wounded in fighting."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Soldiers keeps watch at their front-line position in Avdiivka.
Soldiers keeps watch at their front-line position in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier holds a cat in Avdiivka.
A Ukrainian soldier holds a cat in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian soldiers keep watch on the front line in Avdiivka.
Ukrainian soldiers keep watch on the front line in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Soldiers sit in the back of a truck in Slov'yanoserbs'k, Ukraine.
Soldiers sit in the back of a truck in Slov'yanoserbs'k, Ukraine.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A soldier stands in a trench in Avdiivka.
A soldier stands in a trench in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A resident rides a bicycle in Marinka. "Although this small city is less than 15 miles from the separatist front line, residents try to continue their lives as normal as possible," Fadek said.
A resident rides a bicycle in Marinka. "Although this small city is less than 15 miles from the separatist front line, residents try to continue their lives as normal as possible," Fadek said.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Viktoria, right, watches television with her 10-year-old daughter and her son and his girlfriend in Marinka. When asked if she had a message for the world leaders involved in the conflict Viktoria said: "Stop. Just stop. It's enough. Think about your children if they were here."
Viktoria, right, watches television with her 10-year-old daughter and her son and his girlfriend in Marinka. When asked if she had a message for the world leaders involved in the conflict Viktoria said: "Stop. Just stop. It's enough. Think about your children if they were here."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A woman walks past a damaged apartment building in Marinka. "The mood was somber, depressed and resigned," Fadek said. "People are going through the motions of their daily lives."
A woman walks past a damaged apartment building in Marinka. "The mood was somber, depressed and resigned," Fadek said. "People are going through the motions of their daily lives."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A look inside a Ukrainian trench on the front lines.
A look inside a Ukrainian trench on the front lines.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Ukrainian soldiers guard a front-line trench position.
Ukrainian soldiers guard a front-line trench position.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier keeps watch in Avdiivka.
A Ukrainian soldier keeps watch in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A destroyed car is seen outside a damaged building in Avdiivka.
A destroyed car is seen outside a damaged building in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier walks through the industrial zone in Avdiivka.
A Ukrainian soldier walks through the industrial zone in Avdiivka.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
Men play billiards in Marinka during a local tournament.
Men play billiards in Marinka during a local tournament.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
In the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, near the front lines, life goes on for teenage rock band Metamorphoza. Maksym, 14, is the drummer. Valeria, 15, is on bass guitar, and Vadim, 15, plays lead guitar and is the main songwriter. All are from Avdiivka, and they have been playing together for two years. "Sometimes we can hear the shelling at night, but we try to block it out," Maksym said. Valeria added, "We are used to it."
In the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, near the front lines, life goes on for teenage rock band Metamorphoza. Maksym, 14, is the drummer. Valeria, 15, is on bass guitar, and Vadim, 15, plays lead guitar and is the main songwriter. All are from Avdiivka, and they have been playing together for two years. "Sometimes we can hear the shelling at night, but we try to block it out," Maksym said. Valeria added, "We are used to it."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that has seen heavy shelling over the years.
A Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that has seen heavy shelling over the years.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A farmer in Muratove, Ukraine, chops wood while family members collect it to sell to a nearby Ukrainian army base.
A farmer in Muratove, Ukraine, chops wood while family members collect it to sell to a nearby Ukrainian army base.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
These Ukrainian soldiers Fadek spent time were extremely relaxed, he said. "They have embraced the inevitability."
These Ukrainian soldiers Fadek spent time were extremely relaxed, he said. "They have embraced the inevitability."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A woman sells dried fish on the road leading to Kramatorsk, Ukraine.
A woman sells dried fish on the road leading to Kramatorsk, Ukraine.
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
A soldier walks with dogs in a front-line trench. "I've been in the trenches many times before in the summer," Fadek said. "This is the first time it was in the winter. Visually, because the trenches and the landscape are covered in snow, it reminds me of World War I trenches. Cold misery."
A soldier walks with dogs in a front-line trench. "I've been in the trenches many times before in the summer," Fadek said. "This is the first time it was in the winter. Visually, because the trenches and the landscape are covered in snow, it reminds me of World War I trenches. Cold misery."
Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN
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