The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
He is 22. Behind him are Kyiv Oblast, Bakhmut, the islands of Kherson Oblast, dozens of combat missions, small-arms battles, evacuations under drones, and a severe wound that did not break him but changed his role in the military.
A fighter of the “Liubart” Brigade with the call sign “Sashka” is one of those about whom units simply say: where it’s hardest, he must be there.
The story was told in a publication by the National Guard of Ukraine.
First Battles: Kyiv Oblast and the path to SOF
On February 24, 2022, Sashka voluntarily joined a territorial community volunteer formation. In Kyiv Oblast, he conducted reconnaissance and provided fire cover for engineer-sapper groups laying logistical routes. His work allowed sappers to operate without losses and ensured safe movement of equipment.
In the summer of 2022, Oleksandr transferred to the Special Operations Forces.
“The enemy doesn’t ask whether we are ready. And we have no doubts: the enemy is ahead, our own are nearby — so it’s time to work”, — he says.
Bakhmut and the islands: A combat school at the limit
From December 2022 to January 2023, Sashka held defense in Bakhmut. During a fight at the “Bdzola” position, he engaged in a small-arms battle with an enemy Wagner sabotage group. According to comrades, he acted calmly and effectively — eliminating at least ten occupiers and wounding several more.
“War is not theory, it’s instinct. And Sashka has it in his blood”, — said his comrade with the call sign “Tarantul”.
In June 2023, Sashka operated with SOF units on islands in the Dnipro delta. There, the war was different — hidden, quiet, at the edge of endurance. During one mission near Kozachi Laheri, he detected a camouflaged enemy position and eliminated two occupiers with short bursts.
On November 11, 2023, while observing, he heard the sound of a boat. He quickly identified the threat, damaged the engine with a shot, and then under heavy fire eliminated two enemy soldiers attempting to break through. For this operation, Sashka was awarded the medal “For Military Service to Ukraine”.
“Azov”: Evacuation under drones and a fight for life
After serving in the SOF, Oleksandr transferred to the Azov Special Purpose Brigade.
On March 10, 2025, he led a wounded evacuation group near Nelipivka. Under constant threat from artillery and UAVs, he organized a concealed approach, provided aid to a critically wounded soldier, and stopped massive bleeding — effectively saving his life when full medical evacuation was impossible.
During withdrawal, an enemy drone attempted to detect the group — Sashka destroyed it with personal weapons. Later, covering an infantry rotation, he eliminated another FPV drone. However, the next attack was fatal — a second drone hit the target.
Sashka sustained severe injuries. Even in critical condition, he tried to provide self-aid.
As a result of the wounds, Oleksandr lost his left leg and fingers of his left hand.
“Liubart”: A warrior who passes the War on
Today, Sashka is a fighter of the “Liubart” Brigade. His new mission is to pass on combat experience, train a new generation of infantry, and strengthen the unit’s combat potential.
For personal courage, bravery, and self-sacrifice in the performance of combat missions, Oleksandr has been nominated for the title Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star.
In the unit, they say: his calmness and jokes are not bravado. They are the confidence of a man who knows the price of war — and knows what responsibility is.
