Inside devastated frontline city that Russia wants Ukraine to give up

We first met the unit two years ago fighting in the Kharkiv region, in north-eastern Ukraine.

Just four of the original team remain - the rest have moved to other units, or they have been wounded or killed.

Among the dead was the brother of the man in charge of the unit, Oleksandr, who now describes his unit as his family.

He jokes it is just like the Peaky Blinders TV show – "but without the crime and the drugs". Back at their base they share a meal every evening.

Oleksandr reads out a prayer of thanks for surviving another day – he says it strengthens their spirits. The meal is accompanied by classical music played on a speaker. It helps drown out the noise of the explosions nearby.