![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/The-Ukrainian-prisoner-of-war-spoke-to-Sputnik-5117022.jpg?r=1702646452466\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The chilling reality facing frontline Ukrainian soldiers in their battle against Russia was laid bare after a bloody encounter saw just five out of nearly 50 military personnel survive a gruesome spar.<\/p>\n
With the counteroffensive from Ukraine starting in June, Kyiv flexed its military muscles, unleashing brigades of soldiers trained by NATO instructors and armed with equipment from the West.<\/p>\n
But within three months, Russian media claimed its rival’s push had failed – enduring huge losses, Kremlin tyrant Vladimir Putin said.<\/p>\n
Among them was one unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces which was abandoned during a counteroffensive close to the village of Rabotino, Zaporozhye.<\/p>\n
During one 24-hour period, the group saw 43 of its 48 soldiers butchered.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> European country ‘with close ties to Russia’ blocks \u00a343bn of aid to Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n Among the survivors was Ukrainian prisoner of war Ivan Matvienko, a soldier trained by NATO at one of its bases in Britain.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sputnik – a Russian state-owned news agency and radio broadcast service – Matvienko claimed he and others from the group had received just a month’s worth of training before they were thrown into battle.<\/p>\n He added: “We were sent to the attack on October 28 – two groups, there were only 40 of our company left by the time, maybe less.”<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Another observation made by Matvienko was that during three months of fighting between August and October, just 10 people from his company of 200 who were trained in Britain survived.<\/p>\n It comes as Hungary blocked a huge \u00a343billion package from the European Union to Ukraine barely hours after a deal was thrashed out to fastrack Kyiv’s bid to become a member of the bloc.<\/p>\n Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, said he vetoed the additional funding to Ukraine and said he would reassess the issue next year following “proper preparation”.<\/p>\n All other leaders of member states backed the plan, which backed Kyiv’s budget between 2024 and 2027.<\/p>\n
Putin hit by humiliating blow as elite team struck by ‘heavy losses’, MoD claims[LATEST] <\/strong>
Putin ‘open to peace’ between Russia and Ukraine as he reveals conditions[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Putin shows sign of ‘regret’ in first press conference since start of invasion[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n\n