WHEN a squad of Russian soldiers forced their prisoners to kneel in the dirt, all Yulia Mykytenko could do was watch.
As the trailblazing female commander of a Ukrainian drone platoon, Yulia was in the horrific position of witnessing war crimes unfold in real time via a live feed on an iPad.
Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko witnessed war crimes unfold in real time via a live feed on an iPads drone held by a member of the reconnaissance unit…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>> A building burns in Druzhkivka after a Russian bombing in June 2022
Her team had spotted the Russian paratroopers in the final stages of an assault on a frontline Ukrainian outpost in the Donbas region.
She watched as the Russian troops blasted tear gas into the bunker, forcing its five Ukrainian defenders to come spluttering into the open.
Yulia, 29, tells The Sun: “We saw it all on the live feed.
“Our guys didn’t have time to react.
“They had to come outside to breathe.
“When they came out, they surrendered.
“The Russians made them kneel.
“Then they shot them.
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“And the Russians took over the position.”
Such atrocities are not unusual.
Ukraine says it has recorded more than 90 cases of prisoners of war being captured and executed by Russian invaders.
All but a handful happened this year, and Yulia suspects it is a new policy.
She says: “The Russians are not taking prisoners now.
“They are shooting them in front of our drones.”
Witnessing war’s horrors has become a gruesome part of her job.
Sometimes she has to use her drones to find dead or wounded comrades.
Once it took her half a day to find what was left of her much-loved commander, Captain Dmytro, who was blown to bits by a direct hit from a Russian artillery shell.
Those are her darkest days — when comrades are killed or maimed and she cannot do anything to help.
Yulia is no stranger to loss.
Her soldier husband Illia Serbin was killed by Russian shelling in 2018.
Her father Mykola, a sergeant, set himself on fire in 2020 to protest against what he saw as President Zelensky’s failure to stand up to Russia’s aggression in the run-up to Putin’s full-scale invasion.
And, perhaps inevitably, she has lost one of her own soldiers on a mission that she gave him.
When I ask her how she copes, she says: “I don’t know how to answer.”
‘I despise men who don’t protect their family’
Then she adds with quiet steel: “The one thing I can do is not let all those feelings overwhelm me.
“I consider that part of my job.”
How is morale in the army more broadly?
“I feel extremely tired,” she says.
And with that tiredness comes frustration that not everyone is pulling their weight.
Yulia, who speaks fluent English and dreams of being a professional translator, says: “Sometimes it annoys me that people back home still have normal lives, going to restaurants and shops and the cinema.
“Especially when I see men together with their girlfriends and children and they know that my soldiers don’t have those opportunities.”
Squaddies like her get just 15 days’ leave a year as the battle rages.
She adds: “I think each grown man and woman who is able to hold a rifle must serve and protect themselves.
“It is not the country you are protecting, it is yourself and your family.
As she talks, her fury grows: “I despise such men who don’t take a rifle and protect their family.
“And I despise the women who chose such men and who hide them.
Yulia in 2018, four years before rejoining the armyUkrainian soldiers in Bakhmut in March last yearA photo of a successful strike on Russia’s forces in Donbas
“I would be very interested to see what these men will do when the Russians come to their houses and start to rape their wives.”
Then she checks herself.
She says: “On the other hand, I feel good when I return to Kyiv for 15 days and can have my normal life in cafes and theatres.”
When Putin unleashed his full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s armed forces were swamped with enthusiastic volunteers determined to defend their country.
Yulia was one of them.
She rejoined the 54th Mechanised Brigade where she had served in the Donbas with her late husband Illia between 2016 and 2018.
But as the war has dragged on, that pool of volunteers has dwindled.
War has dragged on
Countless thousands have been killed or injured, and Kyiv has had to draft men by force to replace them.
Shocking footage has shown men of fighting age being dragged kicking and screaming from bars and clubs into waiting police vans.
Like many of her comrades, Yulia has mixed feelings about Ukraine’s emergency draft.
She says: “A year ago I didn’t support forced mobilisation.
“Soldiers who come to us that way are not very good soldiers.
“It’s quite hard to persuade them to be warriors.”
It annoys me that people still have normal lives, going to restaurants and shops. Especially when I see men with girlfriends and they don’t know that my soldiers don’t have those opportunities
Yulia Mykytenko
Now, more than 1,000 days into the bloodbath, it feels like it might be Ukraine’s only option.
Yulia says: “It is not a good idea, but it is the only way to fill the army with people because we have a right to have a rest.”
The 25 soldiers in Yulia’s platoon are all volunteers.
One is a former YouTuber, there is a sailor from the merchant navy and a computer engineer.
Some are former assault troops who have come to her unit shell-shocked or scarred from their time in the infantry.
For those who are physically unscathed, the grinding war takes its toll in other ways.
‘If West is not decisive there won’t be peace’
Recently, one of her soldiers asked her if he could go on leave because his young son was forgetting who his father was.
Yulia says: “My comrade came to me and asked for a vacation.
“He said, ‘Can I go on leave because my son started to call me uncle’.”
Luckily, Yulia agreed. “I told him, ‘Of course, why didn’t you come to me earlier?’ ”
When Yulia visited London earlier this year to promote her critically acclaimed biography, How Good It Is I Have No Fear Of Dying, it was her first break from hostilities in almost a year.
It came as President Zelensky was touring Western capitals promoting his “victory plan” to end the war, which hinges on joining Nato to deter a future Russian invasion.
Yulia is convinced that peace talks are coming and the war may finally be over next year.
She says: “I am sure that we will negotiate.
“We are exhausted.
“Russia is exhausted.
“Both sides are exhausted.”
The issue is whether that peace will endure.
She says: “If the West has enough conviction to keep the pressure on Russia, if it lets Ukraine into Nato, then there is a chance to avoid the next wave of aggression.
“But if the West is not decisive, there won’t be peace.
“There will be a short pause to prepare for the next wave of war.
“And unfortunately, Russia will be ready for it much sooner than Ukraine.”
Tired of the never-ending cycle of shaving, waxing, and plucking? If you’re looking for a natural, painless, and cost-effective hair removal option, you’re in for a treat! Tomatoes, a culinary staple, could contain the answer to permanently removing unsightly hair.
Why Tomatoes for Hair Removal?
Tomatoes are high in antioxidants, especially lycopene, which is known to weaken hair follicles over time. Their acidic characteristics can help slow hair growth while keeping your skin smooth and beautiful. This procedure is natural, devoid of chemicals, and appropriate for most skin types…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
How Does It Work?
When used consistently, tomatoes can help:
Break down hair follicles at the root.
Slow down the regrowth of undesirable hair.
Exfoliate the skin to leave it soft and rejuvenated.
The Tomato Hair Removal Recipe
What You’ll Need:
1 ripe tomato
1 tablespoon of baking soda (optional, for exfoliation)
For illustrative purpose only.
Instructions:
1. Puree the tomato into a smooth puree.
2. Combine with baking soda for a stronger exfoliating effect.
3. Apply the mixture to the chosen location, then gently massage in circular motions for 5-10 minutes.
To achieve the best results, perform this method 2-3 times every week. Consistent use may result in a considerable reduction in hair growth over time.
Benefits Beyond Hair Removal
Using tomatoes for hair removal comes with these additional skincare benefits:
Brightens the skin by lowering pigmentation.
Reduces pores for a smoother complexion.
Combats acne thanks to its antimicrobial qualities.
For illustrative purpose only.
Is It Really Permanent?
While the outcomes may vary depending on your skin and hair type, continuous use of tomato-based treatments can result in a long-term reduction in hair growth.
Say goodbye to razors and unpleasant wax strips! Try this natural tomato solution to get silky, hair-free skin without any hassle.
As someone who has studied some of the habits and interests of women, I’m going to show you some of the things that women do for the first time in the morning, but I won’t tell you because they think you already know what they’re up to. So keep your eyes open for it.
1. Get your mom out of bed in the morning.
The reason the kids have to get up in the morning isn’t the only reason. Mothers want you to wake them up in the morning, just like you wake up your kids. They see love and compassion in a lot of different places, like in their families and in their marriages…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
2. Greet her regularly.
Every morning, you should greet your wife in the same way you greet your kids and expect them to greet you back. The next time you see him, ask how he sleeps at night and whether he sleeps deeply or has dreams. To see how happy they are, look at them.
3. Always tell her, “I love you.”
Keep telling your wife that you love her even if it seems small. In his heart, the message will stay with him all day. Then, tell her how beautiful she is and how much you love and admire her. So that she will be happy because you made her your queen. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
4. Hugging and kissing.
The first thing many women do in the morning is pray while their husbands kiss them. The casual kiss has been replaced by a beautiful kiss on the forehead or on the cheek, which is much better. There isn’t a lot of risk because they’re probably having a good time.
5. Make her a light breakfast.
In the morning, you should make your wife breakfast. This won’t make your marriage break apart. It will have an effect on how you grow up as a teen. If you do it, it won’t make you any less human because of it, It doesn’t matter what kind of SA breakfast you make your friend for breakfast. He’ll think you’re crazy.
A man may want many things when he wakes up early in the morning. They won’t tell you, though. But these are the ones I know.
A player’s wife and girlfriend (WAG) relationship is special in life and needs to be safeguarded.
The “beautiful game” does, however, have its share of scandals and super-injunctions, and many footballers have fallen victim to temptation at some point in their careers.
We look at the top six historically most dishonest, disrespectful colleagues
1. Mauro Icardi (Wife of Maxi Lopez)
When Inter Milan striker Maxi Lopez made the decision to abduct his teammate’s wife, the couple had three children together. With Wanda Nara, whom Mauro Icardi is currently married to, he has another child. Maxi Lopez declined to extend a handshake to Mauro Icardi when Torino and Inter Milan were face to face…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
2. Thibaut-Courtois (Kevin De Bruyne’s Girlfriend)
Thibaut Courtois, a former goalkeeper for Chelsea, admitted in 2014 that he had slept with Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgian teammate’s fiancée in 2012. De Bruyne apparently had a relationship with the best friend of his girlfriend. Caroline Linen had an affair with Courtois, one of his teammates, as retaliation. But it appears like the two have patched things up.
3. John Terry (Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend)
Fans in England will never forget Terry’s romantic relationship with Wayne Bridge’s wife Vanessa Perroncel, who was Terry’s coworker at the time. John Terry lost his position as captain of the national squad when Wayne Bridge refused to shake his hand. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
4. Jordan Ayew (Wife of Afriyie Acquah)
The Crystal Palace player, who has a reputation for being a strong performer on the field, allegedly had a four-year affair with the wife of Black Stars teammate Afriye Acquah. In a leaked YouTube video, Ayew’s four-year relationship with Afriye Acquah’s wife, Amanda, was revealed.
5. Mesut Ozil (Christian Lell’s girlfriend)
The performance of another athlete, who seems to be a good player on the field, is unimpressive. In 2014, Christain Lell said that Ozil had a romantic relationship with Melanie, alleging the two had spoken via social media.
6. Michael Ballack (Christian Lell’s girlfriend)
One of the all-time best players for the German National Team is Michael Ballack. He played for Germany in 98 games overall and scored 42 goals. He has fought for prestigious teams all around the world, including as Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Ballack, however, was not one of those guys who got by in life without a struggle. The powerful midfielder from Germany was in a bind when Christian Lell, one of his colleagues, accused him of having an affair with his better half.
You can imagine the strain on Ballack’s marriage—he had been married to Simone Lambe since 2008—when this occurred in 2010.
