FPV helmet cam footage of Ukrainian naval infantry fighting in wooded terrain on the left bank of the Dnipro River. The beginning is slow, with the camera operator and his buddy advancing at a deliberate pace. They bound forward, using the more robust trees for cover, though this little stretch of wood looks like new growth and most of the trees are too skinny to hide behind. The sounds of battle echo through the trees and at the twenty-five second mark the camera operator’s wingman opens fire on unseen targets to their front. After remaining static for about a minute, the fire intensifies and the pair break contact, bounding back with other members of the team. As the team withdraws through the pines, putting some distance between themselves and the unseen foe with team members laying down fire to cover the movement of their comrades. They eventually reach a rally point, an area which has clearly been subjected to artillery fire as evidenced by the shell-trimmed limbs and branches laying about on the ground, and tree trunks gouged by shrapnel. Without background or context, I can only speculate as to the to circumstances surrounding this engagement. Ukraine has pushed the better part of two Marine brigades across the Dnipro River and is continuing to expand that bridgehead. This team appears to be a reconnaissance patrol looking to gain contact with enemy lines, perhaps looking for a gap to exploit. As a new Marine I once asked an instructor what it meant to look for surfaces and gaps. He replied that you move until you get shot at – that’s a surface – then you move somewhere else until you don’t get shot at much – that’s a gap. It would appear that they found a surface. Regarding the point man humping that big ruck, my back hurt just watching him. I bet that a few years from now the Ukrainian VA says his back pain is not service connected…

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.