Ukraine war: 80% of troops killed or injured in elite military unit, says commander

A commander of an elite unit of Ukrainian marines has told Sky's John Sparks the majority of his best trained troops have been injured or killed.

Speaking near the frontline, south of the city of Severodonetsk, company commander Oleksandr said a core of experienced soldiers who had been fighting together since 2018 have been lost.

[NotThatGuyPal.]

she simply is wanting the things we take for granted each day. Remember and respect to all veterans of combat.

[Bee.Holder]

Having 80% of experienced soldiers killed or wounded is worrying because the grinding of troops accelerates with new, inexperienced ones.

[AS-ghge]

This is crazy man we need to stop all wars it’s absolutely devastating

[robinmoreno]

What sucks is that most of us will acknowledged and express here whatever we feel towards them, then go right back into our daily lives.

[mikehunt]

That young girl the medic is a hero in her own right!!!

[rickkemp]

Those Minsk agreements look pretty good, about now, don't they?

[everythingtechnew]

As wars go this has to be one of the most avoidable & pointless wars for over 100 years. Every bit of death, destruction & outright misery was completely preventable.

[obe]

The combat medics have to deal with death on a different level than the soldiers. The soldiers see the dead and wounded and subconsciously have to put those things to the back of the mind in order to be combat effective. The combat medics have to have intimate conversations with people that they know will die soon or will be crippled for life. It's hell for the soldiers, medics, support and the civilians.

[foxeguitar]

The last scene where the company commander was playing guitar and the other soldier was using his AK mag as a drum really hit me hard. As a musician myself it was probably one of the most striking images yet. I don't think I'll ever get that image out of my head. It was somber as well as hopeful, sad yet inspiring. I feel terrible for these men.

[Random-kcxu]

Rip to fallen soldiers of both sides🙏🏻

[Dylon]

I had teary eyes hearing that young combat medic. She's been through a lot... I wonder, how will she ever move on even long after the war is over.

[tamasgyorffy]

Tons of PTSD for the lucky ones that survive, and will have to cope with that through Life. Bow my head

[wood]

Includes paramedics, chefs, a chilling soldier too

[Thecopedealer]

With this being a year ago one can assess that 100% of the original unit is gone. And for what? The same peace deal that will inevitably occur the longer this war drags out. Poor souls

[mburumbaappolus]

"Territory is seized by destroying it first". Has Sky News forgotten Mosul and Raqqa? Not to mention Hue City, Quang Tri, Pusan, Seoul or Caen and Monte Cassino (1944).

[harrycallahan]

What a total, total waste of life, I feel for everyone effected by this.

[bigbadbamboo]

As a former combat medic, secondary MOS it hurts to see ppl dying to dead, maimed and screaming. Hurts deep but it also mean your human. If I was 20 years younger I fly to Ukraine and work with her...😉😉

[davidofengland]

They seem rather clean and suave for front line troopers

[John-rbzo]

Professional soldiers take a while to develop, so replacing them is hard. That’s why each group must have a mixture. However, with good training and the will to fight that’s a game changer. Professional soldiers who volunteer to go to Ukraine and train others are valuable

[josephgarcia]

After hearing the nurse’s list of things she would like to do, I can’t help but think about how we take things for granted. Perhaps once in a while we should travel to places where they aren’t as fortunate as we are, and then come back much more humble and appreciative.