Counteroffensive by Ukraine

News snippets of the war in Ukraine reveal a dynamic caricature of comrade Putin’s zest to reunite former countries of the USSR. Russian troops continue to attack civilian targets. On Ukrainian Independence Day, Aug. 24, a Russian missile attack on a train station killed more than 20 people, according to an Associated Press article published in the Cd'A Press.

Of importance, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is the largest in Europe, was occupied by Russian soldiers. They took control in March and allowed the Ukrainian staff to maintain operations. Recent events of the plant disconnecting electricity to NATO countries Putin says is because of a fire in one of the reactors. If he quit shelling the power plant, there would be no fire. Does anyone remember Chernobyl? If the Zaporizhzhia plant has a meltdown, it will affect food supplies for years. At least the Russian soldiers would be easy to see at night, considering that they would receive a dose of radiation that would make them glow.

The recent counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces has pushed Russian soldiers out of several areas where the Ukrainian flag now proudly waves. The displaced residents of towns and villages are resettling in those areas and living harsh lives. Their homes have been destroyed, but they celebrate the victory of their military. The hardy people of Ukraine survive with the help of humanitarian supplies and the availability of temporary shelters. Residents return home to make the best of a bad situation.

Ukraine is a large country with a population of 43 million. Its military is responsible for maintaining the 1,000-mile front line of troops, from the northeast to the southwest in Southern Ukraine, holding the Russians at bay. Besides thousands of soldiers and equipment held there, a formidable force protects the rest of the country, where the civilian population is doing what it can to support its military.

NATO countries provide training and military equipment to Ukraine, with a recent news report of South Korea sending 1,600 tanks to support the war effort. In addition, tanks, artillery, supply trucks and personnel carriers are on the ground, donated to the Ukraine military. Also, the U.S. is training Ukrainian pilots to use U.S. jets, with some of the jets scheduled to be sent to Ukraine after pilot training.

This war is tedious for both Russia and Ukraine. Comrade Putin thought Ukraine would fall from the threat of his army, but he is now aware of the consequences of his actions. Not only is his military suffering vast losses of personnel and equipment, but sanctions put in place on Mother Russia are wreaking havoc on its economy. As a result, people suffer from shortages of everything, especially McDonald’s french fries and the Big Mac. There is a substitute franchise now, but it isn't the same.

In a recent prisoner exchange, a Ukrainian soldier related his torturous confinement in a concentration camp environment. The starvation diet led to his massive weight loss, and lack of medical care left his broken bones unattended. He is now free and needs to gain about 40 pounds before he can get surgery for his bones. Nevertheless, he is in good spirits with his newfound freedom and said that he and his fellow prisoners thought they would die in captivity. Welcome home, soldier!

As Ukraine continues to defend its homeland, we remember the rallying cry of Pearl Harbor’s Naval chaplain Lt. Howell Forgy during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, when he said, “Praise the lord and pass the ammunition!” These words are so true in combat.

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Jack Evensizer is a Dalton Gardens resident and veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry.