The objective for one private taking part in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia is not complicated: it is a house near the beach, overflowing with flowers, the play room strewn with toys. Ukrainian military strategists may be intent on driving a wedge through Russian forces and cutting supply lines, but Private Yevheniy just wants to see his home again, in the Azov Sea port city of Berdyansk. “I miss the sea most of all,” he said, as his unit held ground in the frontline village of Tavriyske. As a rule, soldiers go wherever they are sent, but the Ukrainian Army makes an exception: those who were driven from their hometowns after Russia invaded last year can request to take part in the fight to liberate them.

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Persons: Yevheniy, “, ” Organizations: Ukrainian Army Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Azov, Berdyansk, Tavriyske