The war has been going on for almost three years now, and the question of whether Ukraine will be able to withstand another year worries everyone. Ukrainians hope for the end of the war, but they understand that the road to this is extremely difficult. Opinions about the need for negotiations are spreading among the population, but many believe that the struggle must continue. Against the background of fierce battles in the East, where the Ukrainian military is facing encirclement near Kurakhov, different views on the future of the war are emerging. One such unit, the Black Pack, is made up of volunteers from various walks of life, from chefs to artists. They shared with BBC journalists about the prospects of the war, its consequences and possible negotiations.
“Continue to fight”: the position of the unit commander
The 31-year-old Surt, commander of the Black Pack, joined the army almost immediately after the full-scale invasion began. At the beginning of the war, he thought it would last three years, but now he is mentally preparing himself for another ten years of fighting.
Surt is worried about possible negotiations, which, in his opinion, will not bring justice to Ukraine. He understands that after the war, many Ukrainians will be forced to live with the consequences of destruction, loss and grief. However, the commander resolutely declares that he would have chosen to continue the struggle, rather than a compromise with the Russian Federation.
“We are realists, we understand that there will be no justice for Ukraine — many will be forced to accept the fact that their homes have been destroyed by rockets and shells, that their loved ones have been killed, and it will be difficult.” – emphasized the military man.
Negotiation or struggle? Different opinions among the fighters
Among the fighters of the unit, most share the position of commander. Serhii, a chef, believes that the negotiations will only temporarily freeze the conflict and it will resume in a few years. He admits that the situation for Ukraine is difficult, but he is ready to continue fighting, even risking his life.
David, an artist and military man, says he sees Trump as an unpredictable politician. In his opinion, the negotiations with the participation of Trump can have both positive and negative consequences for Ukraine, but he does not have high hopes for them.
Denys, who joined the unit after leaving a safe life in Germany, expresses a different position. He admits that Ukraine is currently losing more than is officially recognized, and suggests at least considering the possibility of a ceasefire. Denys notes that many motivated soldiers are no longer there, and mobilization cannot fully compensate for the losses.
“I asked myself: will I be able to live in a world where Ukraine does not exist? So far, Ukraine seems to be losing, but if you don’t try, you will definitely lose. At least I will die trying to win, and not just give up.” – thinks Denis.
At the same time, unlike others, he believes that Ukraine should at least consider the possibility of a ceasefire. Ukraine’s losses are higher than officially recognized. According to him, mobilizing more population will not solve the problem.
“I just think that a lot of motivated soldiers have either died or are very exhausted – so for me it’s not that we want a ceasefire, it’s that we can’t fight for many more years.” – stressed the military man.
The fighters admit that the war exhausts them physically and morally. Despite this, even during rest, they continue to train, practicing their shooting skills and tactics. For many, this is not only a way to keep in shape, but also to motivate themselves for further struggle.
