AS the soldiers fought on the front line, the radios on the battlefield crackled with static noise.
It was the night of May 18 this year and those brave souls protecting Ukraine against the invading Russian forces were awaiting their next orders, or warnings of the next missile incoming.
They are seen as the heroes of their homeland, risking lives to defend the borders from Vladimir Putin's men.
Oleksandr Usyk knows it too well.
He has friends there risking it all and has been there himself to witness the horrors.
But life also continues away from the morbidness of war and the troops were also awaiting some sporting news, as their hero Usyk fought a very different battle that night with Tyson Fury thousands of miles away in Saudi Arabia.
"I will tell you one story," Usyk said when asked if he had spoken to those at war since his victory against Fury that night.
"There is the front line where the fighting is taking place.
This story is from the December 18, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 18, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ukraine's humble legend giving hope to soldiers fighting on the frontline
USYK REVEALS HOW HIS TITLE WIN WAS RELAYED TO TROOPS
BACK-UP KEEPER IS ONE KELL OF A JOB
Slot knows being Alisson's No.2 is tough for Caoimhin
Howe makes winning a trophy talk of the Toon
EDDIE EMBRACING THE IDEA SQUAD CAN END LONG WAIT FOR GLORY
Bell strikes as feeble hosts fall apart
ENGLAND skittled South Africa for just 64 as they powered to a 286-run win in the one-off Test in Bloemfontein.
Stokes vows to return stronger than ever before
INJURY WON'T HOLD SKIPPER BACK
Running a chippy fried Price's brain
FOCUS NOW BACK ON SPORT
All coming together for rising star Jones
UP-AND-COMING trainer Jack Jones will have all his horses under the same roof from the new year after completing a deal to buy Rae Guest's Newmarket stables.
Barclays loses motor finance ruling legal challenge
BARCLAYS has lost a legal fight against the Financial Ombudsman Service over a ruling that it unfairly paid commission to a car finance broker over a loan.
Budget sparks 13% jump in insolvencies...with more due
BUSINESS insolvencies rose 13% in November, with experts warning worse is to come.
Fortunes-telling for 2025
MILLIONS of Britons will be anxious about what 2025 has in store as the economy slows, energy bills climb and inflation remains stubbornly high.