After the liberation of Ruska Lozova, the Ukrainian army entered Pytomnyk and took positions in the forest surrounding this small town from the east and northeast.

About 15 kilometres are left from here to the nearest border section with Russia.

Infantry units are grouped in these forests and waiting to move into the nearby holiday cottage settlements as the artillery neutralises the Russian artillery units and defence points.

As always, waiting is probably the worst thing. Some make jokes; others wait in suspense.

The order is given. They are briefed and go through the forest to the nearby settlements into no-man's-land, so it becomes Ukrainian again.