The Ukrainian Week/Tyzhden unveils a sobering portrayal of the everyday reality that Ukrainian Armed Forces confront while defending their land and their loved ones.
Five Russian BMPs, infantry fighting vehicles, were irreparably destroyed. Several members of the Russian occupation forces met their demise in the Ukrainian fields, finding their final resting place in a land that was never rightfully theirs. This took place in the heavily battled area under the courageous defence of Junior Sergeant Andriy, who was leading the 1st Mechanised Company Detachment of the 32nd Brigade. Throughout the period from early September to October 23, his unit heroically repelled Russian advances near the village of Ivanivka in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region.
“I always stick to the rule: if you don’t see them [Russians – Ed.], don’t shoot”, says Andriy. “On multiple occasions, I found myself in trenches, wielding a heavy machine gun and a grenade launcher, facing off against the advancing Russian soldiers attempting to infiltrate our positions,” he adds, recounting the intensity of the encounters.
The situation became especially daunting for Ukrainian defenders on the eve of Putin’s birthday, October 7th. The Russian forces were absolutely resolute in delivering ‘positive’ news from the frontlines to their dictator by this deadline. Relentless assaults on Ukrainian positions ensued, one after another, intensifying the already difficult circumstances for the defenders.
“The Russian forces infiltrated the positions of our adjacent Ukrainian unit, which had no choice but to withdraw. Subsequently, Russians launched an assault on our positions. However, in moments like these, when the weapons are primed and the ammunition fully stocked, I never falter,” the soldier recalls confidently.
The unit commander swiftly assessed the situation upon spotting a Russian BMP within range for an accurate shot from the grenade launcher. “The regular grenadiers hesitated – for some, it was their first serious battle. So, I took charge of the grenade launcher, closed the 150-meter gap, and aimed at the invaders. In such moments, I’ve never been the one to dwell on decisions. My father’s words echoed in my mind: ‘If you can do it, why hesitate?'”, elaborates Andriy.
At Andriy’s company positions, obtaining ammunition became increasingly difficult amid constant enemy attacks, Russian artillery bombardments, and unyielding airstrikes. They depended on captured weapons. Andriy says he managed to salvage five crates of 5.45 calibre bullets, one crate of 7.62 bullets, RPG charges, and a box of grenades from the wreckage of enemy vehicles.
“Even Russian cigarettes came in handy. The stress levels are at an all-time high. Our battalion medic said a definite no to using the captured Russian field ration, especially their water, but when you’re thirsty, what choice do you have?” the junior sergeant remarks with a smile. His favourite gun? The PK machine gun [Kalashnikov’s – Ed.]. Whenever his comrades captured one, it was quickly placed on the flank where Andriy kept watchful guard.
“Once, I had one of my ‘pokemons’ [military slang for “Kalashikov’s machine gun” – Ed.] pointed in the field for 12 hours straight; another was aimed at the enemy’s trench, and I kept one more cleaned and ready for action, you know, just in case,” explains Andriy.
As the relentless bad weather persisted, the defenders’ standard weaponry started to falter. With limited time for maintenance, they seized every opportunity to replenish their arsenal with captured weapons and put them to use. A Russian combat radio became a crucial acquisition, enabling Andriy’s comrades to withstand enemy pressure and successfully rotate within their positions.
“A Russian tank opened fire on us,” Andriy recalls. “Fired off 10 shots two times in a row. “It struck our bunker with pinpoint accuracy. Suddenly, a red fiery explosion emerged in front of our eyes, engulfing us instantly. The shockwave knocked me back several meters, and as I regained my senses, I quickly scrambled to my feet and reached for the machine gun. We were left with no alternative; retreating would have left us vulnerable targets to their relentless fire”, explains the soldier. “But by holding our ground, we still had a chance to fight back”.
Only five Ukrainians stayed in their positions. For a fleeting moment, an eerie silence descended upon all of them. Andriy even contemplated lighting a cigarette. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a few silhouettes darting between the bushes. “I quickly grabbed my rifle, crouched low, and sprinted towards them as they were about twenty meters away in their trench. I think I managed to take out some of them immediately,” Andriy recounts, taking a drag of his cigarette. “My grenade landed just centimetres away from them. I swiftly returned to the machine gun and resumed firing”.
As the gunfire quieted, silence fell, broken suddenly by the chatter of the Russian military radio. I thought to myself that we absolutely had to seize it, so I dashed forward again. I turned around, and there stood another Russian behind me. He must have been more startled than me because I managed to get away quickly.
“Initially, our unit received intel that GRU [Russian foreign military intelligence forces – Ed.] were en route to reinforce the Russians attacking the Ukrainians”, says Andriy. He later discovered that 15 men were dispatched their way – 5 assault doubles, two snipers, a grenadier, and the group’s commander. “It was fortunate that the Russian machine gunner was knocked out, and they weren’t providing tight cover,” Andriy admits. “I overheard it from conversations among the Russians” [through the captured radio – Ed.]
The Russian assault troops took cover in the bunkers of the neighbouring positions they had seized. “I gave them a little scare with the grenade launcher. They were hesitant to expose themselves. And when I learned from intercepted radio chatter that the GRU unit was eliminated during their assault attempt, I knew that we could confidently rotate with the Ukrainian unit coming to help us,” he concludes his account.
On December 6, in recognition of Armed Forces Day in Ukraine, Junior Sergeant Andriy was honoured with the “Defender of Ukraine” medal for his exemplary fulfilment of military duties.
However, the most awaited reward awaited him back home – on December 11, his beloved wife gave birth to their baby son – Andriy was granted permission to visit his family in his hometown of Zviahel.
