Life and Conflict on the Ukrainian Front Line: A Close Look at the Arai Battalion
0:00:13 Arrival at the Contact Line: The journey to the front line involves traveling through frozen plains to reach the soldiers of the rail battalion.
0:00:51 Delivering Supplies: A car delivers food to the troops, quickly unloading to avoid detection by a nearby drone.
0:01:21 Introduction to the Soldiers: The soldiers, including workers, drivers, and servers, have been stationed in trenches for seven months, defending their territory.
0:02:12 Commander Sergei: The 29-year-old former history teacher commands the unit in the trench, facing constant fire from Russian trenches 700 meters away.
0:02:53 Ten-Day Immersion: The film crew spends ten days with the soldiers, living and experiencing the conflict alongside them.
0:03:33 Close Combat: The fighting intensifies, with the Ukrainian position being targeted. A grenade launcher is used to temporarily halt the fight.
0:05:35 Communication with Family: Plombia, the youngest recruit (24), contacts his mother, assuring her of his well-being.
0:06:17 Trench Life: Plombia shows the trench layout, including a non-exploded shell, a makeshift toilet, and discusses the issue of mice infestation.
0:07:23 Harsh Conditions: Temperatures drop to -20 degrees Celsius at night, forcing the men to live underground in a parallel world to survive the cold and bombings.
0:09:35 Drone Threat: A drone flies overhead, posing a threat as it could drop explosives. This time, it's a reconnaissance flight, but it helps the Russian artillery adjust their aim.
0:10:51 Rocket Launcher Response: Soldiers respond to Russian tank shells with rocket launchers, aiming blindly in a dangerous situation.
0:12:27 Mortar Shell Impact: A 120 mm mortar shell creates a crater, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the attacks.
0:13:13 Lack of Resources: The Arai battalion lacks tanks and cannons, relying on comrades behind the front for artillery support.
0:13:39 Artillery Unit: A unit 40 km away uses modified pick-ups as missile launchers, loading them with Russian-taken grade missiles.
0:14:49 Artillery Preparation: Gunners have limited time to position themselves and fire, with Commander Sergei providing target coordinates.
0:15:45 Trench Consolidation: Soldiers work to reinforce shelters, crucial for survival during attacks.
0:16:17 Personal Connection: Plumber leaves an audio message for his girlfriend, expressing his love and desire for a peaceful future.
0:17:12 Food and Morale: Food freezes quickly, but hot meals are provided to boost morale. Soldiers share a quick meal before returning to their posts.
0:18:13 Reconnaissance Mission: The commander leads a dangerous mission to an advanced post 400 meters from Russian positions, navigating a minefield in the dark.
0:19:57 Mine Encounter: The commando encounters a mine, which the commander defuses. They reach the advanced trench but are spotted, forcing them into an improvised shelter.
0:21:28 Strategic Position: The advanced post is crucial for preventing a Russian breakthrough. Soldiers spend the night in the shelter, unable to sleep due to the constant threat.
0:22:55 Holding the Line: The soldiers' main role is to show the enemy their resilience. The Russian trench is within rifle range, and the chances of survival in an attack are slim.
0:24:06 Psychological Strain: Soldiers have endured this harsh reality for seven months, facing psychological and physical challenges.
0:24:56 Maintaining Morale: Commander Sergei reads his own poems to boost morale, emphasizing their unity and hope for peace.
0:25:35 Battalion Losses: The Arai battalion has lost 200 soldiers since the war began, 20% of its strength, all casualties of trench warfare.