Olexander Kravchenko is the commander of a Ukrainian armored brigade somewhere on the front line. He's been on the job for months - he's not allowed to tell where exactly, not even to his family. At the time of the interview, he is on home leave, which is not often. He has a lot to do, especially since he doesn't know if and when he'll be home again.
ntv.de: How does it feel to be at home?
Olexander Kravchenko: You know that you're only here for a very short time. And you appreciate every minute you spend with your family. You remember that time flies quickly and you have to spend time with your wife and children. You have to have time to walk around your house to see the places where you planted trees, where you made something with your hands. That's why you rejoice and thank God that you have a home. Because where else I am, there is a lot of grief and suffering.
What are you primarily trying to do here?
Hug my family, hold them to me and don't let go.
Do you already know when you can visit your family next?
I dont know. That depends on the situation at the front.
Are fierce battles going on at the front right now?
There are days of heavy struggles, but there are also days of calm. In our front section, however, there are only very few.
When will this terrible war end, what do you think?
I really want this war to end soon. But we have an enemy who doesn't want that (sighs). I therefore believe that the war will be over when Putin dies.
Is Europe supplying enough arms to Ukraine?
I would like to thank the European countries for the material they are providing us with. The equipment is very good and they come to us and help us a lot. But... I don't think that's enough. We need more for our victory.
Which countries help the most?
I know that Poland, Estonia and of course the US and UK are helping us a lot. That's what I know.
Is everything else at the front sufficient? Medicine, ammunition, food?
There is enough medicine, ammunition and food. We have no problem with that. There is not enough, how shall I put it, time to devote to hygiene. We're outside all the time, it's raining, we always wear the same clothes. There are times when you don't wash for two or three weeks. This is the case. It's summer now, there are lakes, but because of the fighting we can't swim in them. In order to freshen up, we must leave the area where the battles are taking place. This is probably the biggest problem.
Have you ever had a grenade or rocket explode?
Of course there were explosions and I heard them both inside the armored vehicle and outside. A mortar shell once exploded about eight meters away from me, I didn't hear it. Normally you don't overhear something like that, but this time no one heard. I do not know why. And shrapnel once flew close to me. I felt it whizzing past my head. There were wounded near me. When I was in the car [that's what he calls armored military vehicles], there were a lot of explosions, but of course the vehicles protect us.
What do you think about when you shoot?
I'm the commander, so I don't shoot. I give the order to fire shots. I look at how a shot went and how the target was hit. And I'm thinking about how to do the most damage while making sure my people don't get hurt in this fight.
What kind of weapons do you own?
Anything that shoots (laughs). A Makarov pistol, an AKSU submachine gun and we carry out operations on combat vehicles.
What is Ukraine missing to accelerate victory?
I think what's missing at the moment is more precise armament and better interaction between divisions.
Who do you miss the most on the front lines?
My family.
Think about what helps keep the fighting spirit high?
I ask myself what I am doing here and then I answer myself that I am defending my country and my family. And that inspires me.
How often do you call your family?
If possible, if there is a connection and an opportunity, I call every day. I tell them not to worry I'm fine. If I cannot call myself, I ask my comrades to call my beloved family every two days.
Mit Olexander Kravchenko sprach Maryna Bratchyk
