A Ukrainian soldier’s story: years of war and fading hope
Deutsche Welle
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A Ukrainian soldier’s story reveals the devastating toll of four years of war, both personally and on the broader conflict. Kostiantyn Honcharov, a former DW correspondent who joined the volunteer army in 2022, reflects on his journey from journalist to soldier, driven by a desire to avoid becoming a passive observer of history. His account paints a grim picture of the front-line reality, marked by exhaustion, loss, and the collapse of normalcy. The war has become a routine for him, shaping his daily life in ways he never imagined.
The Ukrainian army faces critical challenges that are breaking its soldiers faster than the enemy. Exhausted units are rarely rotated, leading to prolonged deployments without rest or adequate reinforcements. Soldiers with no combat experience are forced into frontline roles, often resulting in伤亡. Honcharov’s own platoon of 30 men was reduced to just five after a fierce battle, highlighting the human cost of such tactics. The lack of regular rotations and proper training leaves soldiers ill-equipped to handle the immense psychological and physical demands of warfare.
The war’s persistence also underscores broader systemic issues within Ukraine’s military, including inadequate resources and leadership decisions that prioritize short-term gains over soldier welfare. These problems are compounded by the use of modern technologies like drones, which require precise coordination and planning but add layers of complexity to already strained operations. The psychological toll on soldiers is immense, with many facing battle stress so severe it “eats a person up inside.”
Honcharov’s story sheds light on the human side of a conflict that often feels abstract to outsiders. His reflections raise important questions about how wars are sustained and at what cost. The collapse of morale and infrastructure within Ukraine’s military highlights the limitations of resilience in the face of relentless warfare. As the war drags on
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/22/2026