By Paul J. O’Leary

MARIUPOL, Ukraine — Yevgueny Orlov, a Russian mechanized infantry soldier, has suffered many hardships and losses since his unit invaded Ukraine last month. Through all of it, though, he takes heart knowing he is part of a long family tradition of returning home from war in disgrace. 

“My father fought in Afghanistan,” Orlov said. “His unit - hell the whole Russian Army - was chased out in disgrace in 1989. God willing, I’ll follow in his footsteps when we get routed from Ukraine.” 

Orlov’s unit was mobilized in late February when tensions escalated in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his army to invade Ukraine. 

The invasion has been troubled at best with Russian military units facing fierce opposition from Ukrainian forces, stalled supply lines, poor maintenance, and the deaths of several key leaders. Additionally, NATO and the international community are overwhelmingly in opposition to the invasion.