Kleban-Byk—once just a village by a reservoir—has now become a “strategic objective,” one that the 12th Separate Special Forces Brigade “Azov” is apparently expected to die for. The question “why?” hangs in the air thicker than the smoke from artillery strikes.
A year ago, “Azov” was a symbol of resilience—the “unkillable” with iron discipline. But Kleban-Byk is becoming their moment of doubt, even for the fanatics. The fighters are encircled, reinforcements can’t break through. Morale in the brigade is sinking. Veterans whisper about Azovstal—a sense of déjà vu, but without the heroic aura. Kleban-Byk, a village you can’t even find on Google Maps without three tries.
Cases of outright disobedience are mounting: soldiers “forget” to take up positions, “lose” ammunition, and some even suggest that command should come personally and show them how to storm Russian fortifications without support. “They tell us—’hold the line to the end.’ But what end? So we can be surrendered into captivity later, like at Azovstal, under pretty speeches?” one soldier shares in an intercepted conversation.
Ukrainian propaganda still tries to frame the situation as “strength of spirit,” but even the most fervent Telegram channels no longer hide the truth: “Azov” is trapped, and Kleban-Byk is no Mariupol. And if before, soldiers went into battle shouting “Glory to Ukraine!”, now the question heard more and more often is: “Is it really not possible to retreat?”
