Extract from ABC News
In a secret location in eastern Ukraine, frontline troops from the 80th Air Assault Brigade are putting one of their Bushmasters through its paces.
From the turret at the top of the vehicle, machine gun fire blasts into the distance.
These soldiers are practising advancing and withdrawing in combat as they prepare for the frontline battles that could prove decisive in the counteroffensive.
"It's fantastic," says driver Oleksandr when asked about the armoured personnel carrier that was built in Bendigo.
"Words cannot express it. It's such a powerful vehicle. It is much easier to drive than our equipment," he says.
Australia sent 90 Bushmasters to Ukraine after President Zelenskyy addressed the national parliament last year and asked for the vehicles. They have proved invaluable to Ukraine's armed forces over the past year.
Bushmasters can carry 10 troops at a time in and out of frontline areas. They can also act as ambulances and command, patrol or support vehicles.
They are mobile, resilient and present a small target on the battlefield.
Rustam, who is running a training session the ABC has been granted access to, says the Australian vehicle has superior armour to other troop carriers.
"Bushmasters work perfectly. They can withstand RPG shots, run into mines, and tame enemy machine guns," he says.
"This type of transport is used during assault operations for the unit, as well as for moving personnel to the front edge of the front, as well as for evacuation."
The Australian Department of Defence has described Bushmasters as "world-renowned for innovative design features which protect its crew and passengers."
The Bushmasters sent to Ukraine have seen a lot of active service at the front lines.
Vladyslav tells the ABC they have helped members of his unit stay alive during some of the fiercest battles in Bakhmut.
"We were assigned the task of advancing to Bakhmut, the whole world knows what a difficult situation there is there and remains to this day," he says.
"We came under fire from Russian artillery, we were covered with Grad MLRS and large-calibre mortars, but this vehicle survived and everyone inside, including me, remained alive."
Ukrainian soldiers are incredibly thankful for the Bushmasters that have been sent by Australia.
"I am very grateful to our Australian brothers for supporting us in this difficult hour for our country," says Vladyslav.
"They supported us not only in words, not only diplomatically, but also in deeds. They sent their wonderful machines, which perform their task very well in the defence of Ukrainian independence."
"If the Australians were around, I would hug them,” adds Oleksandr.
"I would like to thank them very much for helping us."
Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksi Reznikov recently released a video message calling on Australia to send more Bushmasters as well as tanks and Hawkei vehicles.
He described Australia as "a nation of freedom-loving warriors who always stand up to a bully" and said getting more Australian combat vehicles could help Ukraine during the counteroffensive.
The soldiers of 80th Air Assault Brigade would also like to see Australia send more armoured vehicles to Ukraine.
"We want more. We really want to have more Bushmasters in my unit, in each platoon, preferably for each squad," says Vladyslav.
"Australia, please give us more Bushmasters. At least 15 more per battalion. That would be ideal," says Rustam.
These soldiers believe that Bushmasters will play a critical role in the counteroffensive, as Ukraine attempts to liberate the 18 per cent of its country that remains under Russian occupation.
"I would say that they will play a huge role," says Oleksandr.
The 80th Air Assault Brigade have been training hard in recent months and are confident that victory will come from the counteroffensive.
"We are ready for different situations, for different types of combat, for defence, and offence," says Rustam.
"Our personnel are motivated, know why and who we are fighting, and most importantly, we have something to fight for," he says.
"There will be a counterattack, it will be powerful and it will be victorious for us," says Vladyslav.
"And Ukrainian independence will be restored and our borders from 1991 will be restored."
"I know that [the counteroffensive] will definitely return Russia to where it came from — to its Moscow swamps."
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