In brief
Ukrainian soldiers on the front line receive meals prepared by Pvt. Yaroslav Breus, a former chef whose cooking skills are providing nourishment during trying times.
In the conflict-ridden landscape of eastern Ukraine, where cooking for troops has become a formidable challenge, Pvt. Yaroslav Breus steps up to the plate. Recently, a Russian missile strike shattered the kitchen's windows and damaged the glass door of their oven, but undeterred, Breus and his team quickly repaired it and got back to preparing meals. As he cooked flavorful pork steaks and borscht for several hundred soldiers, Breus reflected on the precarious situation they face: “Considering where we are now, this meal might be the last one,” he admitted, as fellow soldiers enjoyed dishes like beetroot salad with roasted walnuts and buttery boiled potatoes. The First Assault Battalion of the Third Assault Brigade has managed to establish an operational kitchen, allowing their soldiers to enjoy relatively satisfying meals amidst relentless assaults. Breus, 31, has a rich background, having once been a celebrated chef at a prestigious Kyiv restaurant. He also competed on the local version of "MasterChef", where his talent for borscht won him acclaim. Today, his culinary journey takes on new meaning as he serves those bravely defending their homeland.
