Orla Gern
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
This is a real sign of the changing times in Ukraine. You don't see queues of young men lining the streets anymore to join up, but you do see young men in the dock accused of desertion. It's a huge problem for the Ukrainian military and for Ukraine's war effort. Sergey, we're from BBC News. My name is Orla. Could I ask you, why did you leave your army unit?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
But for many who go to fight, this is the homecoming. In a Kiev cathedral, a familiar agony is unfolding. A war widow, Anastasia Fedchenko, mourns her husband. She sits with her hands on her stomach. Anastasia is heavily pregnant with her first child.
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
We're making our way along a bumpy rural road heading for the front line in eastern Ukraine and it's pitch dark. We are within range here of Russian artillery and also Russian drones. We're on our way to meet troops from a Ukrainian drone unit. The Russians are still managing to advance. We're traveling with the commander. His name is Mikhailo. Did you think the war would last this long?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
We've come inside a disused building. We're completely in darkness, apart from torchlight. And the drone is being assembled. The drone unit are working fast here. They've erected a huge antenna. It's taller than a two-storey building. And they're getting ready now to send up the drones. I can hear shelling in the distance. Do you think there's any way to do a deal with Putin?
Global News Podcast
Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Commander Mihailo pilots the drone into the skies. It's fully armed with an anti-tank mine. Minutes later, he drops that. It lands just wide of an underground Russian position. I'm inside a small courtroom. There's a hearing about to get underway. The defendant has just been brought in under guard. He's 24 years old and he's a deserter from the army. His name is Serhii Nezdilov.