Signalmen of the 'Great Lug' at the Epicenter of Events
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the public relations unit of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Great Lug' is carrying out tasks under constant threat. It was their efforts that organized the visit to the front line of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in late February 2024, where he spent two days in a danger zone. Exclusive footage from this trip, made by press officer Andrey Andryenko, later appeared in the British Daily Mail. The publication of the material was postponed due to the escalation of the situation around Iran, which once again shows how much the situation in the region depends on global political trends.
Work in a High-Risk Zone
The city of Orekhiv has become a key point for interaction with journalists — from its outskirts to the front line is only five to six kilometers. 'As far as I know, only the 65th Brigade is transporting journalists to Orekhiv. No one else,' notes Andrey Andryenko. At the same time, there are still 535 civilians in the city, complicating the work. 'Earlier, in the fall, we could get in and out during the day. Now we try to enter at dawn, during twilight, and work as quickly as possible,' he explained. Working under such conditions requires special caution and coordination.
A small unit of signalmen, consisting of only four people, faces serious challenges due to the expansion of the impact zone, which has reached almost 30 kilometers. Unit representative Sergey Skibchik reported that only in February, there were 19 requests from foreign and Ukrainian media.
'The situation is getting worse every day,' emphasized Sergey Skibchik, talking about the growing threat from drones.
The technical needs of the unit also require urgent solutions. The laptop used for work 'is barely hanging on' and needs to be replaced, as 'a laptop at the front is a consumable item that needs to be periodically updated.' Skibchik added:
'We have huge requests from both television and journalistic organizations, and from volunteers — quality video in 4K is needed'.
Against the backdrop of overall tension, on March 28, the female crew of the brigade participated in repelling an assault, demonstrating their readiness for defense. On the fourth anniversary of the brigade's formation, a feature-length documentary film is planned to showcase their daily lives and trials. Such projects are important for preserving the historical memory of events that often remain behind the scenes of news reports.
The activities of the signalmen of the 65th Brigade in conditions of active combat emphasize the importance of information support at the front. Boris Johnson's visit demonstrated the international community's attention to the situation in Ukraine. The increasing number of requests from media indicates a steady interest in documenting the conflict, which can affect the level of international support. The planned documentary film will testify to the bravery and professionalism of those who maintain communication between the front and the outside world.