In conditions where every day on the front line is a struggle for survival, the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade has performed a feat that is now officially recorded. Ukrainian defenders have held the lines in the area of the village of Mala Tokmachka for more than 1500 days in a row. This time spent in trenches under constant fire has been recognized as a national record.
A Record Written in Blood
Oleg Ivanenko, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Book of Records of Ukraine, personally handed the brigade command a diploma confirming this incredible fact. Mala Tokmachka has become a symbol of resilience: it is one of the longest-held sections of the front in modern warfare. Here, soldiers withstand continuous assaults, artillery shelling, and air pressure, including drone strikes.
For the fighters of the 118th Brigade, this document is not just a piece of paper, but recognition of their titanic labor. As noted in the brigade itself: "A national record is merely a statement of fact for history. The just reward for our heroes is every meter of Ukrainian land preserved".
Shadow in the North: Threat from Belarus
While the southern lines are held with such strength, the situation in the north remains tense. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) has not yet recorded mass movement of equipment or a sharp increase in the number of troops on the border with Belarus. However, Minsk continues active actions: new training grounds are being built, bases are being strengthened, and logistical routes are being expanded.
Escalation around the northern borders began back in mid-April, after President Zelenskyy's statement about Russia's attempts to drag Belarus into the conflict. Earlier, media reported that the Kremlin was developing five scenarios of action in this direction. While the 118th Brigade holds the defense in the south, the country is preparing for possible threats from the north.