Watch the terrifying moment Russian artillery fires on Daily Mail reporters in Ukraine, as they gain extraordinary access to frontline trenches for exclusive video reporting.
Terrifying video shows Daily Mail reporters Richard Pendlebury and Jamie Wiseman under Russian artillery and mortar fire as they gain extraordinary access to a Ukrainian frontline trench.
His full dramatic dispatch from the eastern front line is available to view in the Daily Mail. Youtube channel .
The video report will be followed by Richard’s gripping written account of his experience in tomorrow’s paper, in MailOnline and Mail+.
British journalists have been given exclusive and unprecedented access to the front lines in this devastating 21st century battle to drive the Russian invaders out of the Ukraine.
In an extraordinary moment, Richard and Jamie run across a field and into the trees as mortars rain down all around them.
“We haven’t gotten much further down the road when we hear the unmistakable wail of an approaching shell and I’m on my hands and knees in the mud as it explodes a stone’s throw to our left,” writes Richard.
Most foreign reporters stay away from the fighting in Ukraine, but Jamie and Richard gained extraordinary access to a frontline trench in the Donbass region.
See a preview here and the full video on our Youtube channel.
Richard Pendlebury is thrown to the ground as Russian mortars rain down around him after they leave the trench.
Ukrainian Special Forces urge Mail journalists to keep going while under enemy fire.
The terrifying race in a 4×4 with a broken windshield to flee the Russians through a field in full view of the enemy position
Richard Pendlebury shows what life in narrow trenches is like for Ukrainian troops, sometimes only a few hundred meters from the enemy.
Richard and guide Oleh sit on their handmade wooden bunk beds in conditions reminiscent of World War I for a cup of tea.
The pair had to evade a Russian drone as they entered the Ukrainian position before dawn, only to see Ukrainian troops fighting the Russians just 400 meters away in no man’s land.
As they emerge from the trench, they are forced to take cover from Russian artillery as they cross open ground.
Richard and Jamie show the grim reality of the battle for the Dombas region, where Ukrainian soldiers fight from narrow trenches and sleep on beds made of trees in conditions reminiscent of World War I.
They also experience the deadly danger of leaving their trench as Russian troops fire mortars at the Mail journalists and their guide Oleh, who repeatedly warns them to remain silent to avoid being overheard by enemy drones.
Describing life in the trenches, Richard writes: “We move from 21st century warfare to what looks like a scene from the Western Front, circa 1916. As first light comes and hostilities resume with thunderous seriousness, we realize that taking refuge in the trench, or even leaving it in the light of day, is much more dangerous than this uncomfortable arrival.”
Later, in the “treacherous daylight”, they are forced to drive at full speed in a 4×4 after approaching the Russians before dawn.
Richard writes: ‘In the dark, Oleh had driven too far, past the field we were supposed to cross on foot last night. Now we must drive back across the same field in broad daylight, under the eyes of the Russians. Oleh drives like crazy. Mortar bombs are now landing close enough to be heard over the roar of the engine. We bucked and crabbed down the hill that had beaten us in the rain. Luck is with us. We keep the covered lane intact and now even crossing the dangerous bridge feels like reaching safety.’
