The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Combat medic Ihor, callsign “Baptyst”, of the 80th Galician Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that faith does not prevent him from destroying enemies.
The material about the soldier was published on January 2 by the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“My latest combat deployment lasted 78 days. Before that, I spent 27 days on a position. Even then I realized how valuable water, psychological resilience, and physical endurance are”, — said “Baptyst”.
He is originally from the city of Obukhiv in Kyiv region. Before joining the military, he worked as an emergency medical feldsher, in the State Emergency Service, and later in the delivery sector.
About a year ago, “Baptyst” received a draft notice and joined the 80th Brigade as a combat medic.
“In addition to having medical training as a feldsher, I am a member of the Evangelical Church, which is probably clear from my callsign.
It is very important for me to be useful in the military and to remain faithful to my religious principles, so I immediately expressed my desire to become a combat medic in order to primarily help soldiers on the battlefield.
I completed the necessary courses at the training center and within the brigade, and then departed for my first combat missions defending Sumy region”, — “Baptyst” said.
Recalling the most difficult combat missions, Ihor grips a new trophy Russian AK-12 assault rifle, which he took from a neutralized occupier during battle.
The enemy attempted to assault the position where “Baptyst” was on combat duty.
“I am a believer, and previously I hoped that I would not have to destroy the enemy, but when an enemy soldier appeared in front of me, there was no hesitation — the enemy was destroyed, and the weapon was taken.
Even back in school, I read that the Cossacks had a tradition of fighting with trophy weapons captured in battle. I consider it quite ironic when the enemy is destroyed with his own weapon”, — “Baptyst” smiled.
Ihor also noted that in the position of combat medic, the key word is precisely “combat”.
As a platoon combat medic, even while still a junior sergeant, if necessary, he can perform the duties of a squad commander and organize the defense of the position where he operates.
If there is a wounded soldier — not only to provide medical aid, but also to organize evacuation.
“One such case occurred in the Kursk region. We needed to evacuate a fellow soldier. The weather was very favorable, helping us avoid detection by enemy drones, of which there were many.
We carefully planned our movement with the guys, and before starting, I asked them to pray together that the Lord would help us, because physically the task was very difficult and dangerous. There were many open areas that had to be crossed very quickly.
During evacuation, teamwork is extremely important, so we dragged the wounded soldier from cover to cover, camouflaged ourselves, rested, listened to the sky, checked the route, and then dragged him further.
We acted very cautiously, and the evacuation took an entire day. The task was completed — the wounded soldier was safe and the group remained intact. I believe the Lord preserved us,” the fighter noted.
In addition to the wounded, fallen soldiers must also be retrieved from the battlefield. According to Ihor, this is very hard work, and everyone who performs it feels a special responsibility.
“At that moment, you imagine the family and relatives who will be able to say goodbye to the fallen. Every soldier must return home, even ‘on a shield’.
When we conduct such evacuations, I try to ensure everything happens as safely as possible, because I worry about those who help and feel responsible for them”, — the defender believes.
According to “Baptyst”, the most characteristic injuries on the modern battlefield are caused by shrapnel impacts and mine-explosive trauma.
