That is precisely, why they DON’T TRUST US there.

Us, Journalists.

In war, it is very important not to become brutish. Not to become dehumanized. Not to slip up with your morals and ethics for the first time, because after that, there will be no way back.

War is full of cruelty and brutality. Of the kind, which our minds refuse to accept nor comprehend. But war is also full of tender moments. Moments filled with humanity. At the same time, with boundless pain.

A soldier fallen on the battlefield is one of the greatest tragedies. Especially now, when the enemy's cover is so massive, that soldiers can barely reach their position. I’m not even shedding light upon the fact, that the fallen remain lying in the field. For weeks, for months even. Often, there is no possibility of driving up to collect them or taking them away.

Until a soldier's body reaches his military unit, he is considered ‘missing in action’. Transportation, identification of the body, DNA tests, and everything else - an endlessly long process, sometimes taking months. Long and delicate. Tormenting and exhausting for loved ones. Difficult for the soldier's commanders too, who must answer the phone calls and questions of family members. I have witnessed more than one such process, I have seen that pain, I have been in the middle of it.

In war it is very, very important not to become brutish. And you know, it is not quite as simple as it sounds.

I thank the Media Support Fund for supporting the post series “War in Ukraine: The Gap Between the Military and Society”