Elite force bucks trend of Ukrainian losses on eastern front

The Azov brigade, which leaders say has a culture of mutual respect', is tasked with repelling relentless Russian attacks as the invaders make most of artillery mismatch

Fifteen miles east of the garrison town of Lyman, a desperate fight has been taking place on Ukraine's eastern front for months. The once verdant Serebryansky pine forest has been reduced to burnt-out stumps, reminiscent of images from the Somme, destroyed amid Russian attacks aimed at eliminating Ukrainian foxholes.

Fearful that the frontline could crack last summer, Ukraine's commanders deployed the Azov infantry brigade to the sector. Their task was and is to repel what Maslo", a 29-year-old staff sergeant with the unit's first battalion, described as constant assaults, every day, sometimes for 24 hours". Occasionally the brigade makes dangerous counterattacks on foot.