Ukrainian troops battle exhaustion as war drags into second winter

Servicemen of the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine appear at a position in a frontline near Kreminna, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Luhansk region, Ukraine November 2, 2023. REUTERS/Alina Smutko

NEAR KREMINNA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Istoryk, a 26-year-old soldier in eastern Ukraine, finally managed to fall asleep one morning, exhausted from the relentless battles against Russian forces in the pinewood forests near Kreminna.

His rest was cut short just an hour later when a fresh firefight broke out, forcing the senior combat medic back into action in a fierce and lengthy exchange.