My name is Ivan.
I know I cannot tell where I am , but it is a dirty trench somewhere Bakhmut. You know, I do not like Ukrainians. I do not like the russian army officials, too. Nobody likes them, anyway… I was thinking of deserting, but, not to Ukraine, not in the hands of the nazis.… Or maybe they are not nazis, but I do not like Americans, too. Yes ,I am trapped. I will make hell.A big kill. I know I will be killed, sooner or later, but I will make hell loose. I was thinking of organizing a few of us and escape together somewhere, south… But, I do not trust anyone. Out of us 9, excluding the corporal, you never know who is who for real. They act as your friends, but their looks are shifty. Who knows who is reporting it all to the bosses. I am trapped. It is worse than bowling in Columbine, you know, when some american goes and shoots all, especially the ones he did not know at all. Here, you must guard your back and your front, they are all enemies. They want you, the russian officials and on the other side, the Ukrainians. So, I will break hell loose. Fuck them. Fuck them. The pills they are giving us to feel better and sleep less are great. I feel no fear at all. There are many different names written on the pills we take, one for certain says Captagon. Vodka is plenty, too.
My name is Igor.
I am with Ivan and other 8 of “us” in the same trench. I know I can not desert the front and run south. I do not hate Ukrainians. I do not hate the russian officials, I despise them. I try to shoot aimlessly and kill no one.. I do not hate amerocans. I know I will be killed. I will not break hell loose. I am trapped. I trust no one in this unit. They might be working for the FSB, or just willing to tell all for a few days of leave. I know Ivan is thinking of deserting- defecting, but I do not trust hem, he is so wild… I mostly throw away the pills they are giving us. I take some sips of the vodka, it makes you feel warmer.
Mostly we are drunk all night and then we have pills for breakfast, to run faster.
I am waiting to be killed.
My name is Petrushka, or that is what they call me. I do not give a shit, yes. This is my company. I hate Ukrainians, better if they surrender soon , so I can take my money soon and go south legally. Why I hate Ukrainians is a long story hard to explain even to myself, but, currently they make my bread. I eat them for breakfast.
I am the corporal of this bunch of idiots. At least I know why I am here, unlike them, and , listen, this is no business of yours, it will take weeks to explain, with a lot of alcohol.
I know what they think, all of them them 9 idiots. I learned it in Syria. I can not desert and defect from the front, the stakes are too high. I make some percentage on the side. I work for anybody who gives me something. Except for the Ukrainians. I am orthodox and my way is the way of my bosses. They feed me and give me extras. I am a part of a ring. It is growing and money started pouring in. I think I can survive. I will send them, my 9 idiots to the slaughterhouse ,and after invent something…. Maybe get a medal for this bravery, too, and rise in the ring.
I know what they think, Ivan, Igor and the rest. I learned that, did I tell you, Syria was the last place. I know who is the spy here, and presume who is the other, and who will tell all if asked in a right way, willy nilly… They will all die and I do not give a shit for that. Anyway, I sleep light , take my selection of pills and will shoot anyone who tries anything.
Currently I feel invincible. Russia Will be Great Again, and this means money for me.
And tons of girls, or, maybe some young boys to be educated in the orthodox way.
I hate homosexuals.
My name is, hmmm, AA, yes I am the “undercover” spy here. In the beginning I became a spy because I believed in all this blah, blah. Now, I do not. Or not all of it. Or some other truth, or, I do not know what. I spy because I was told I will survive for certain and make progress in life and they will send me south on a well paid mission, like you know, like James Bond. Not exactly him, but, you know, someone important.
I spy mostly the corporal, not the Ivan or Igor, they are dead anyway. I will size the moment when the corporal will try to betray us and kill him instead. I will get a medal for this and a promised job south. Ok, if it gets rough I may surrender to Ukrainians. I have no idea why are they resisting us. We will win. I can get exchanged for someone and even make a double game, tell Ukrainians “all” and then tell russians “all”. If I play my cards right I will be in the top ring someday.
Yes, I take pills, too. Fantastic stuff, it makes all so clear…
My name is Witchdoctor.
If you have seen me somewhere, smoking a fag or drinking a glass of wine or trekking aimlessly, you may think I am easy. Yes I am, but I am on the run. On the run from, hem, the whole Universe, and from whoever invented it , too… I will not surrender, even if it looks like.
I really do not like the company you keep.