Frag Out! Magazine

cap of the vacuum bottle comprised about 200 gram of alcohol. If not more. Very strong vodka which an Ukrainian soldier put out a moment before from the hiding place in the hall leading to the ammunition storehouse. Drink, my brother - encouraged a soldier with which I found myself at the checkpoint. Drink - the soldier put his hand at the bottom of - the container, pushing it to the side of the Pole face. A journalist - took a slip, then a next one, a then passed a cap to me. Our Ukrainian host probably was not satisfied that my friend only soaked his mouth. At least that seemed to me like that. So, I tilted a container convinced that I was saving the honor of the Polish war journalism. And, generally of Poland. But it was not the point alcohol was to circulate among the three of us for a longer time. And I drank all. But, an anger on the Ukrainian face quickly changed into the friendly expression. Well, I noticed even a light admiration. - He's a Pole Valery nodded his head and slapped me on my shoulder. - Vitaliy! - shouted to his friend whose silhouette blinked before an entrance to the storehouse. The Pole drunk our vodka! And he slapped my shoulder again. No, it is not truth that soldiers of the Ukrainian army go drunk – I would not like to create such an image. However, in fact, - they drink, and considering circumstances, there is nothing special in it. The checkpoint under Debalcev was a specific place – we were there at the end of January when began serious battles about that town. A post, far away from the housings, still was not at the first line, but is was systematically shot from the Grads and mortars. - The Russian shot, not any separatists - soldiers claimed me. - Remember, to write about it in this way. The Federation Army or rebels - well, it does not matter; weapon the same. The Grads landed in the neighbourhood more frequently than grenades what was evidenced the best by dozens of craters. - They begin shooting at 8 a.m. and bump till 12 a.m. - narrated one of the Ukrainians. From the midday until 4 p.m. work our soldiers a serviceman pointed out with his hand at the government artillery posts which were a few kilometres away. Then, shot again the others. And so on until 8 p.m. In the evening and at night it is rather quiet here although sometimes they come near our positions so we shoot. A specific routine and rituals, quite, as in the Times of the First World War - I thought myself a man is as sober a judge cannot stand it for a longer time. Meanwhile soldiers, with whom we had dealings with, have been in the line troops since the last year spring. Even at the first sight it was visible that they were on the brink of physical and mental exhaustion. Anyway, it is astonishing that a country with such huge mobilization resources, carries out a war in such an unconcerned manner. Certainly, for the sake of reliability one might want to notice that Kiev sends to the Russian-speaking East, first of all, soldiers from the western and central provinces, assuming that they will be more loyal to the government. But it still means a possibility to mobilize thousands of conscripts. Therefore, and a more frequent rotation. - I cannot wait to April - Valery had just opened a can of corned beef – bloody fatty, but very tasty. - Demobili - sation - he added. And then, out of blue, he said: - Do you know "Sepultura"" I nodded my head, trying to recall any sounds. - Well! - the Ukrainian smiled. When all of that ends, visit me in Kiev. I own a three-story house, you will have the last floor at your disposal. You will sightsee a town, and in the evening we will eat, drink, and listen to the "Sepultura". And, to yours "Acid Drinkers"". This time it was me who contorted a face with a smile. Outside an artillery thundered. I looked at my watch - a while ago chimed 4 p.m. REPORT

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