Ukrainian soldiers in a small boat engage targets on the left bank of the Dnipro River. The craft is a small rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), though I doubt that any part of it is rigid enough to react too well to bullets. The man in the bow hammers away with a PKM, while the camera operator fires a rifle. With the sport at its best, they apply some power to the motor and beat a hasty retreat. Since the armed forces of Ukraine liberated Kherson in November 2022, the Dnipro River has been a contested zone, with riverine units from both sides conducting raids, reconnaissance missions, and ferrying assets to the other side.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing is preparing for the 2024 season of sailing on Galveston Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.