Nicolas Tonev (special envoy to kyiv), edited by Solène Leroux
modified to
7:16 p.m., March 31, 2022
Two days since the town of Irpin was taken over by Ukrainian forces. However, since then, the Russians have continued to bomb from the surrounding forests. A Ukrainian soldier says: “They don’t know what to do or how.” For him, it is a sign that they “try to find exits in different directions, but have nowhere to go”.
Moscow blows hot and cold in Ukraine. The bombardments continue and even intensified on Wednesday in the north of the country. At the same time, Russian forces are gradually withdrawing from the Chernobyl power plant. Northwest of kyiv, the town of Irpin was recaptured by the Ukrainian army two days ago, but the Russians continue to shell from nearby forests. “A good fight is when the two adversaries move forward and backward, and boast of their success,” said a soldier at the microphone of Nicolas Tonev, special envoy of Europe 1.
Russians use everything from Kalashnikovs to heavy artillery
During a minute’s respite under the destroyed Irpin bridge, a special forces chief brings back good news from the front. “We have taken over the city of Stoyanka Dva, it’s official”, he rejoices at the microphone of Europe 1. “It is cleaned, it is with the Ukrainian forces.” One more advance, to weaken the Russians to the west.
A situation that can be summed up in a sound: the bombardments are heard from afar. “Since this morning, it’s swayed like that,” says a Ukrainian. “The Russians use everything they have, from Kalashnikovs to heavy artillery. They don’t know what to do or how. They try to find exits in different directions, but have nowhere to go. And in a panic, they water.”
Under the broken bridge, “we no longer hear each other speak”
The explosions follow one another at an infernal pace. One of the unit commanders sums it up in his own way. “Today, what happens in this region around Irpin is a matter for the casino. We play with blacks or we play with whites”, he summarizes. “In such a situation, you cannot guess where the spell will go. And here, you have no control over anything. But one thing is certain, there will be no in-between.”
That’s an understatement. While under the broken bridge of Irpin, we no longer hear each other speak, the most angry promise to pursue the enemy to his capital.