Tanks serve as decoy to distract Russian forces, says Ukrainian commander

By Davit Kachkachishvili and Burc Eruygur

DONETSK, Ukraine / ISTANBUL (AA) - Tanks are helping Ukraine with more than just their firepower, serving to distract Russian forces who perceive them as a major threat, according to a Ukrainian commander.

"The tank is very important in war. The tank always scares the enemy infantry. No matter how trained soldiers are, they're afraid of the tank. The tank distracts the enemy's attention," a commander of a Ukrainian tank crew, codenamed Chikatelo, told Anadolu.

As intense fighting continues in eastern Ukraine nearly 12 months into the war, Chikatelo said they were preparing to move to the front near the cities of Vuhledar and Marinka in the Donetsk region.

Underlining that they join the clashes at the front every day, he said: "The situation is always changing, but we're ready to go on duty day and night. Sometimes the order comes and we go to shoot at midnight."

Tank units usually fire at a distance on the enemy in order to support infantry forces, said Chikatelo, adding that they have also at times gotten closer to the Russian positions and participated in the conflict directly.

"I remember approaching enemy positions up to 20 meters (65 feet). According to our instructions, we approached the enemy in the shelters and opened fire. At the same time, we supported our own infantry, we're getting very close to the enemy."

Almost 12 months have passed since Russia declared its "special military operation" in Ukraine, which has resulted in the death of at least 7,199 civilians and 11,756 injuries, according to the latest UN figures.