On September 15, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the village of Andriivka from Russian occupation during the counter-offensive in the Bakhmut direction. The village was an important strategic point for further fighting for Bakhmut, and its de-occupation allowed the establishment of fire control over the railway.
The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers publishes photos of Mstislav Chernov, who documented the counterattack of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces on Andriyivka.
The village of Andriivka of Bakhmut district of Donetsk region was occupied by Russian troops at the end of November 2022. With the beginning of the counteroffensive in the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Forces approached Andriivka. On September 15, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the release of Andriivka. During the offensive in the south of Bakhmut and in the fighting for Andreyevka, the Armed Forces destroyed the leadership and personnel of the 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Army. However, the liberation of the villages around Bakhmut from the Russian army came at a great price for the Ukrainian military.
According to the deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces Rodion Kudryashov, the liberation of the villages around Bakhmut lasted in two stages. Initially, the Armed Forces prepared a bridgehead on the banks of the Siversky Donets canal and advanced in the direction of Andriivka, Klishchiivka and Kurdyumovka. During August-September 2023, the military conducted daily assault operations, raids, entrenched themselves at certain altitudes and, eventually, in Andriivka.
Ukrainian photographer and videographer Mstislav Chernov documented the counterattack of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces on Andriyivka. To get to the village, Ukrainian soldiers first had to go through hell and survive in a forest destroyed by explosions and shell fragments.
“This forest is taking away our friends, and this is the worst thing,” the military man with the nickname “Courier” told Mstislav Chernov. “When I think about how far we still have to advance... Most likely, someday I will be one of those who will remain lying in this forest, and my friends will just go forward”.
The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is entirely formed from volunteers and is considered one of the best and most experienced units. The brigade actually continuously fights in the east of Ukraine. In August 2023, the Third Assault Force takes part in the counterattack on Bakhmut.
“This section of the dead forest — several dozen mutilated trees stretching two kilometers to the same dead village of Andriivka — has acquired enormous symbolic significance for the Ukrainian counteroffensive. A lot depends on the success of the military on this stretch of the road to Bakhmut,” says Mstislav Chernov.
For example, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, when he represented the country at the congress in Washington, was able to prove the effectiveness of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and receive funds for weapons.
A study conducted this summer by the London-based Royal United Services Institute found that Ukrainian troops are advancing on average 700-1,200 meters every five days. This time period allows Russian troops to strengthen and replace the territory from which they are retreating.
“In a month, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was able to advance only two kilometers, overcoming mined trenches, evading artillery and Russian troops, which are located within firing distance,” adds Mstislav Chernov.
“The fighter with the nickname “Shepherd”, who was wounded in the morning and waited an hour for evacuation, was a mask of pain. Chapa as well. The shell hit the Spaniard's helmet and a head injury rendered him helpless. Gary had no visible injuries, but because of the contusion he could barely participate in the conversation,” says Mstislav Chernov.
The forest near Andriivka “demanded” death.
The decisive assault on the approaches to the village of Andriivka began on September 14. Mstislav Chernov recalls the words of one of the sergeants of the brigade, Fedya:
“How many more lives do we have to give? How many more forests?”
Fedor is only 24 years old, for him war is a science that needs to be mastered and studied.
“The smarter you are, the better qualified you are, the more likely you are to come back alive,” says Fedya.
Three months after receiving the order, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was able to release Andreyevka.
On September 14, 2023, the Ukrainian military entered the small village of Andriyivka. The last hundred meters were a mixture of blood, metal, debris, shot sleeves and torn armor. On the side of the road, the bodies of Russian soldiers lay facing the ground. Even after the liberation, the Russian army fired on Andreevka from drones. On the morning of September 16, Fedya brought the Ukrainian flag to raise it over Andriivka.
“Look at these fields, at this forest. Everything is growing again,” Fedya said. “The cities that we will return, we will rebuild... We will clean up everything that is left of the Soviet Union. War may be the best thing that can happen to start all over again.”
Mstislav Chernov — Ukrainian photographer, journalist of the Associated Press, director, war correspondent, President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, honorary member of “Ukrainian PEN” and writer. He covered the Revolution of Dignity, the War in Eastern Ukraine, the aftermath of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, the Syrian Civil War, the Battle of Mosul in Iraq, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including the blockade of Mariupol. For this work he received Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award, Georgy Gongadze Award, Knight International Journalism Awards, Biagio Agnes Award, Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award, Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award, Free Media Awards, as a result of 2022 he was included in the ratings “People of NV 2022 in the Year of War” and “14 Songs, Photos and Artworks objects that became symbols of Ukrainian resistance” from Forbes Ukraine, and video footage from Mariupol became the basis of the film “20 Days in Mariupol”.
Photographer's social networks: Facebook, Instagram
The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Kateryna Moskalyuk
Bild-editor: Vyacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary Editor: Julia Futei
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar
The project is implemented thanks to support IWM Documenting Ukraine.
On September 15, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the village of Andriivka from Russian occupation during the counter-offensive in the Bakhmut direction. The village was an important strategic point for further fighting for Bakhmut, and its de-occupation allowed the establishment of fire control over the railway.
The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers publishes photos of Mstislav Chernov, who documented the counterattack of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces on Andriyivka.
The village of Andriivka of Bakhmut district of Donetsk region was occupied by Russian troops at the end of November 2022. With the beginning of the counteroffensive in the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Forces approached Andriivka. On September 15, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the release of Andriivka. During the offensive in the south of Bakhmut and in the fighting for Andreyevka, the Armed Forces destroyed the leadership and personnel of the 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Army. However, the liberation of the villages around Bakhmut from the Russian army came at a great price for the Ukrainian military.
According to the deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces Rodion Kudryashov, the liberation of the villages around Bakhmut lasted in two stages. Initially, the Armed Forces prepared a bridgehead on the banks of the Siversky Donets canal and advanced in the direction of Andriivka, Klishchiivka and Kurdyumovka. During August-September 2023, the military conducted daily assault operations, raids, entrenched themselves at certain altitudes and, eventually, in Andriivka.
Ukrainian photographer and videographer Mstislav Chernov documented the counterattack of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces on Andriyivka. To get to the village, Ukrainian soldiers first had to go through hell and survive in a forest destroyed by explosions and shell fragments.
“This forest is taking away our friends, and this is the worst thing,” the military man with the nickname “Courier” told Mstislav Chernov. “When I think about how far we still have to advance... Most likely, someday I will be one of those who will remain lying in this forest, and my friends will just go forward”.
The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is entirely formed from volunteers and is considered one of the best and most experienced units. The brigade actually continuously fights in the east of Ukraine. In August 2023, the Third Assault Force takes part in the counterattack on Bakhmut.
“This section of the dead forest — several dozen mutilated trees stretching two kilometers to the same dead village of Andriivka — has acquired enormous symbolic significance for the Ukrainian counteroffensive. A lot depends on the success of the military on this stretch of the road to Bakhmut,” says Mstislav Chernov.
For example, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, when he represented the country at the congress in Washington, was able to prove the effectiveness of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and receive funds for weapons.
A study conducted this summer by the London-based Royal United Services Institute found that Ukrainian troops are advancing on average 700-1,200 meters every five days. This time period allows Russian troops to strengthen and replace the territory from which they are retreating.
“In a month, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was able to advance only two kilometers, overcoming mined trenches, evading artillery and Russian troops, which are located within firing distance,” adds Mstislav Chernov.
“The fighter with the nickname “Shepherd”, who was wounded in the morning and waited an hour for evacuation, was a mask of pain. Chapa as well. The shell hit the Spaniard's helmet and a head injury rendered him helpless. Gary had no visible injuries, but because of the contusion he could barely participate in the conversation,” says Mstislav Chernov.
The forest near Andriivka “demanded” death.
The decisive assault on the approaches to the village of Andriivka began on September 14. Mstislav Chernov recalls the words of one of the sergeants of the brigade, Fedya:
“How many more lives do we have to give? How many more forests?”
Fedor is only 24 years old, for him war is a science that needs to be mastered and studied.
“The smarter you are, the better qualified you are, the more likely you are to come back alive,” says Fedya.
Three months after receiving the order, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was able to release Andreyevka.
On September 14, 2023, the Ukrainian military entered the small village of Andriyivka. The last hundred meters were a mixture of blood, metal, debris, shot sleeves and torn armor. On the side of the road, the bodies of Russian soldiers lay facing the ground. Even after the liberation, the Russian army fired on Andreevka from drones. On the morning of September 16, Fedya brought the Ukrainian flag to raise it over Andriivka.
“Look at these fields, at this forest. Everything is growing again,” Fedya said. “The cities that we will return, we will rebuild... We will clean up everything that is left of the Soviet Union. War may be the best thing that can happen to start all over again.”
Mstislav Chernov — Ukrainian photographer, journalist of the Associated Press, director, war correspondent, President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, honorary member of “Ukrainian PEN” and writer. He covered the Revolution of Dignity, the War in Eastern Ukraine, the aftermath of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, the Syrian Civil War, the Battle of Mosul in Iraq, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including the blockade of Mariupol. For this work he received Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award, Georgy Gongadze Award, Knight International Journalism Awards, Biagio Agnes Award, Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award, Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award, Free Media Awards, as a result of 2022 he was included in the ratings “People of NV 2022 in the Year of War” and “14 Songs, Photos and Artworks objects that became symbols of Ukrainian resistance” from Forbes Ukraine, and video footage from Mariupol became the basis of the film “20 Days in Mariupol”.
Photographer's social networks: Facebook, Instagram
The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Kateryna Moskalyuk
Bild-editor: Vyacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary Editor: Julia Futei
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar
The project is implemented thanks to support IWM Documenting Ukraine.
UAPP is an independent association of professional Ukrainian photographers, designed to protect their interests, support, develop and promote Ukrainian photography as an important element of national culture.
UAPP's activities span educational, social, research and cultural initiatives, as well as book publishing.
UAPP represents Ukrainian professional photography in the international photographic community and is an official member of the Federation of European Photographers (FEP) — an international organization representing more than 50,000 professional photographers in Europe and other countries around the world.
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