(31 Jan 2022) With the UN Security Council set to discuss Russia's troop build-up along the western borders, Ukrainian soldiers are still locked in a stalemate at the line of contact with the rebel-controlled territories in the East.
Training continued under harsh conditions on the Ukrainian frontline, where soldiers faced not only the threat of potential attacks but also snowstorms and freezing temperatures.
"Our main objective right now is to hold our positions and not let them advance," explained Andriy Bardash who is deployed on the frontline in the Luhansk region.
He said that "there's activity all the time," on the rebel side, but they "can only assume their numbers by counting shots," as the rebel forces try not to expose themselves.
Another serviceman, Petro said that "the enemy is constantly strengthening their positions regardless of the degree of tension."
For him, being on the frontline, outside developments don't make much difference.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet Monday for the first time on Russia's troop buildup and threatening actions against Ukraine at the request of the United States, and all key players are expected to square off in public over the possibility of a Russian invasion and its global impact.
Russia's massing of an estimated 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine has brought increasingly strong warnings from the West that Moscow intends to invade.
Russia is demanding that NATO promise never to allow Ukraine to join the alliance, and to stop the deployment of NATO weapons near Russian borders and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe.
NATO and the US call those demands impossible.
Assuming the meeting goes ahead, the council will first hear a briefing by a senior UN official followed by statements from its 15 members including Russia, the United States and European members France, Ireland, United Kingdom and Albania.
Under council rules, Ukraine will also speak.
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