This clip, from the 137th Separate Marine Battalion, shows Ukrainian Forces continuing to contest the Dnipro. Russian mortar fire comes screaming in, however, and manages to wound the cameraman, though he reportedly survives.

The mortar round slams down just ahead and to the just left of frame (from the cameraman's view) at 0:13. He bears it pretty stoically, though he does swear out of a probable mix of pain and frustration.

It's one thing to hear "fighting continues on the Dnipro", and another to see it from a drone's perspective, and another still to see the conditions the Marines are working in and through, from the ground level. It's probably incredibly difficult to orchestrate CASEVAC in such marshy conditions, and that's before factoring in the Russians. On top of that, the wetness makes treating any wounds difficult. And of course, the way the swamp soaks up the thump of the mortars, sucking it in and holding it like a sponge, is hell on the mind, whether you get hit by them or not.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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