Ukraine's "Achilles" warns: Peace remains a distant hope
Renowned Ukrainian commander Yuriy Fedorenko has made an appeal to those expecting a swift end to the war. "The USA cannot offer peace to Ukraine because we are not fighting them, but the Russian Federation," he wrote, underscoring the brutal reality on the front line. This is a reaction to the lack of progress in peace negotiations.
The Ukrainian agency Unian and other media outlets are citing the comments of the Ukrainian unmanned systems regiment commander, Capt. Yuriy Fedorenko, who, in a candid Facebook post, addressed soldiers and those hoping for a swift end to the war. He wrote that it wouldn't be that simple and that the fight would have to continue for a considerable time.
Capt. Fedorenko reminded everyone that Ukraine had expressed readiness for a ceasefire from the beginning, but Moscow did not respond positively. He also added that "there will be no outcome worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize" and suggests that belief in a quick end to the war is an illusion.
Gen. Polko: "I sympathise with the soldiers. Trump waves the white flag."
Commenting on the situation, Gen. Roman Polko in a conversation with WP leaves no illusions: "I'm not surprised by such statements. The essence of command is to maintain mobilisation and the conviction that the fight makes sense. Soldiers observe their commanders; if they don't give up, neither will the enlisted personnel. It is up to the commander whether the front holds. He must give a clear signal that he won't back down an inch," Gen. Polko assesses.
The General also strongly criticised recent statements made by Donald Trump, who expects Ukraine to relinquish rights to Crimea. "It looks like raising the white flag behind the backs of Ukrainian soldiers. The words of the US president that he would end the war in 24 hours were dangerous fantasies that only served the election campaign and, in reality, may undermine the morale of soldiers fighting on the front," adds the WP interlocutor.
Gen. Polko believes that the war in Ukraine will likely persist as an endless series of incidents, violating any potential peace agreement. "In such a conflict, a moment's inattention on the front can cost the lives of entire units. Unpredictable Russia can strike most easily and effectively when vigilance is lower. Every commander knows this and must take it into account in their actions," he adds.
Hopes for peace
Polko emphasised that despite the fatigue, Ukrainian units are still holding their positions with determination. "This war has bought time for Poland and Europe. The Ukrainians are not backing down, and we cannot abandon them. Their resistance is not only their matter. It is also our line of defence. A leader signalling a quick peace regardless of the cost sends a very bad message to those fighting. Ukrainians cannot hear that their sacrifice could be voided by a single signature on documents in the White House," the general warned.
Ukrainian media have highlighted Capt. Fedorenko's comments for a reason. The military man is known by the nickname "Achilles," and since the beginning of the Russian invasion, he served in territorial defence units and was later transferred to the famous 92nd Assault Brigade. His unit specialises in operations using FPV (First Person View) drones, which play a key role on the modern battlefield.
Under his command, the "Achilles" battalion became one of the most effective drone units in the Ukrainian army. Captain Fedorenko has become one of the most recognisable figures in the Ukrainian armed forces, and his opinions are cited by many media outlets, including UNIAN, the British service Guardian, and Hromadske Radio.
The situation on the front and the storm around peace negotiations
Let's recall that in recent days, Russian forces have increased the intensity of shelling in the Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions. The Ukrainian command reports further drone and missile attacks on critical infrastructure. Despite losing some tactical positions, Ukrainian defence maintains its ground on key sections. President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again urged countries helping Ukraine to increase supplies of ammunition and air defence systems.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, it is emphasised that real security does not depend on politicians' declarations, but on the continuous resistance against Russian aggression. The front is not quietening down, and the future of peace depends solely on Ukraine's resilience and the will to stop Russia.
On Tuesday, the Kremlin announced that it rejects the 30-day ceasefire proposal made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, deeming it unrealistic without meeting "all nuances." Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conveyed that "without answers to these questions, it's difficult to agree to such a long-term truce." He also added that Russia doesn't know if Ukraine will even join the initiative. "The most important thing is to start peace negotiations," Peskov stated, assuring that Moscow is supposedly ready to talk "without preconditions."
Vladimir Putin proposed a short ceasefire from the night of 7th May to 11th May. Zelensky considered it "another manipulation" and called for an immediate and longer truce. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov set a condition: the international community's recognition of the annexation of Crimea and four regions of Ukraine that, as a result of 3 years of war, have fallen under Russian occupation.
