A Ukrainian soldier holds up a Russian rifle taken from inside Russia. 

“A trophy,” he says, smiling.

One of his colleagues, also grinning, produces a military uniform patch that reads “Armed Forces of Russia” and a 10 rouble note.

“Russian money,” he says.

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The pair are part of a small team of soldiers on a grey pickup truck on the Ukrainian side of a border crossing point into the Kursk region of Russia.

A third serviceman, who gives his name as Vasil, says the unit has been fighting in Russia since the beginning of the cross-border attack from Sumy region, in northeastern Ukraine, eight days ago.

He says the Russian soldiers they had encountered were just “running away”.

Asked what his group is planning to do next, he says, speaking in English: “[I] think go further [in], yes.”

As for whether he is scared, he says: “No.”

It is the same reply when asked whether he thinks Vladimir Putin’s forces will succeed in pushing the Ukrainian attackers out.

“No,” he says.

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Speaking with the measured, matter-of-fact tone of an experienced soldier – he has been fighting Russia’s invasion of his country since 2014 – Vasil says being part of the force invading Russia is “nothing special… I’m doing my job”.

Without giving much away, he says his unit was involved in monitoring and surveillance.

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But the soldier does share one thing he hopes will come of the incursion – showing Russian people the reality of war.

“Maybe they [the Russians] will understand [it’s] not very an interesting thing when sit at home and watch TV – war is war.”

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