Ukrainian troops undertake skydiving training
After exercises paratroopers will return to frontlines in east Ukraine
These Ukrainian paratroopers are about to skydive to Hoverla, Ukraine’s highest mountain. One of the paratroopers is holding a blanket to keep himself warm as the plane slowly rises. As the altitude increases the temperature can drop by 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Denys Zubkov, Deputy Commander of ‘Kyiv 2’ battalion: “The height is not big from which they have to jump and the platform on which they land is small. But a mistake can cost you your life.”
While the soldier drops thousands of metres from a plane, the others in his battalion are doing reconnaissance work and preparing a place for his landing.
Denys Zubkov, Deputy Commander of ‘Kyiv 2’ battalion: “Our task was to provide flares, provide a platform landing, and medical help in case of emergency.”
This is a drill but for many it’s also a dream to land on the country’s biggest mountain. One of the paratroopers was in an aviation accident years ago but didn’t let that stop him.
Dmytro Parkhomenko, soldier from ‘Kyiv 2’ battalion: “If I can walk, that means I can fly. Maybe I won’t walk but I’ll fly.”
After completing the exercises these paratroopers will return to the line of contact between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed militants in east Ukraine. Despite a ceasefire, clashes there continue. Last month the Ukrainian government accused the militants of launching a full scale offensive outside their stronghold of Donetsk.