KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine, May 16 (Reuters) - Peeking out from under a hat and with his face covered, the Russian fighting for Kyiv described unrelenting battles in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv where Moscow’s forces opened a new front last week.

“The situation is difficult, the intensity is very high, there is fighting almost every ten minutes,” said the mortarman, who identified himself only by his callsign, Winnie.

The soldier is part of the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group of Russians opposed to President Vladimir Putin who are fighting for Ukraine.