She joined Ukraine’s army in 2019. Seven years later, she is still feeding the front
For one Ukrainian military cook, seven years of service show how much of a working life Russia's war can occupy.
Mariia's day begins at 4:30 a.m., starting her role as a cook for a reconnaissance battalion in Ukraine's 40th Artillery Brigade. Over her seven years in uniform, she has prepared meals for hundreds of soldiers, including the massive task of feeding up to 860 individuals at once. The war in Ukraine, which began in 2014, is brought to life through Mariia's personal experience.
She enlisted in the army in 2019, just as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022. Mariia's journey began at Popasna in the east, where she served for eight months before the invasion reached their location in Kharkiv Oblast. The invasion left a lasting impression on her, particularly when an elderly couple, needing provisions, shared their last ten eggs and four cigarettes with the soldiers.
Mariia continues her duty of feeding the troops seven years into the conflict, highlighting the crucial role of support behind the front lines.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
