Trump promised during his campaign he would end the war within 24 hours of taking office, but his aides have since said a deal could take months.

Serge’s reconnaissance unit went on to fight in the Donbas, mostly in Bakhmut, where thousands died in the “meat grinder” attacks launched by waves of Russian conscripts, prisoners and the Wagner mercenary group. Key members of Serge’s team died in the rubble there.