The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
A unique selection of shoulder sleeve insignia from the private collection of American volunteer and volunteer fighter Steve Andre was presented at a temporary exhibition at the National Military History Museum of Ukraine.
ArmyInform attended the opening of the patch exhibition and spoke with “Cat Steve” — this is Steve Andre’s callsign.
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
Steve Andre has been visiting Ukraine since 2010. Since 2017, during the ATO/JFO period in eastern Ukraine, he assisted the Defense Forces as a volunteer and photographed battlefields in Avdiivka Industrial Zone, Pisky, and Shyrokyne.
It was then that he began collecting shoulder sleeve insignia, which Ukrainian defenders and volunteers gladly gifted to him. Thus, a large collection gradually formed, with each exhibit connected to memories of people “Cat Steve” met.
“There is a story behind every patch, so I believe this is a valuable asset for our museum, even if temporary. Through this collection, we can show visitors that the world truly stands with Ukraine and supports us in our just struggle”, — emphasized Yurii Bilous, Deputy Director of the National Military History Museum of Ukraine, during the opening.
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
“I first visited Ukraine in 2010 and since then have grown to love your country and Ukrainians very much. In 2017, I began traveling to Donetsk region, where I communicated extensively with Ukrainian soldiers and took photographs”, — Steve told ArmyInform.
In 2022, Steve arrived in Kyiv in early February. During Russia’s full-scale invasion, he joined the 59th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk and participated in the liberation of Kherson.
Kherson, Mykolaiv, Luhansk region, and Donetsk region — Steve’s frontline geography is extensive. After serving in the 59th Brigade, he transferred to the 95th Separate Air Assault Polissia Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
“I served for a year and a half, then returned home to Detroit. Now I plan to return to the Armed Forces of Ukraine — this time to the 38th Separate Marine Brigade named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi”, — Steve shared.
Steve began collecting shoulder sleeve insignia under the influence of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series — the collector’s edition he received included several interesting patches.
Ukrainian insignia differed greatly from familiar American patches, which sparked his interest. Soon he began exchanging patches with acquaintances, and Ukrainian soldiers gladly gifted him their insignia.
“These are patches from the first volunteer group I helped, and some of the very first ones I received. And here are insignia referencing the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, which sparked my interest in Ukrainian patches”, — Steve points out.
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
Nearby, “Cat Steve” draws attention to a line of artillery unit patches he worked closely with during his service in the 95th Brigade.
Especially valuable to Steve are patches referencing places where he personally participated in combat — Kherson, Butivka Mine, Avdiivka, Bakhmut — each associated with dozens of stories and memories of brothers-in-arms.
One of them is about a ginger cat rescued directly on the frontline in the Kherson direction. The cat jumped into Steve’s vehicle when he was forced to drive along an unfamiliar, unverified, and potentially dangerous road near the front.
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
-
- Фото Віталія Павленка / АрміяInform
“My friend always joked that my superpower is finding cats everywhere. Leave me anywhere for some time, and a cat will inevitably appear. That’s where my callsign ‘Cat Steve’ comes from.
That time, the frightened ginger cat jumped into my car and really scared me. He was terrified himself, fleeing shelling. I had to take him with me, and later one of my volunteer friends brought the cat to Kyiv”, — Steve smiles.
Thus, the ginger cat and “Cat Steve” saved each other at the frontline, adding yet another story to Steve Andre’s many memories of comrades with whom he defended — and continues to defend — Ukraine from Russian aggression.
“People often tell me I’m a hero, a soldier, but in reality I’m no better and no worse than the people standing shoulder to shoulder with me in this war. Ukrainians are incredible — you continue to fight and resist the attacker despite all his power.
It is an honor for me to be part of this resistance, and I want to wish Ukrainians to keep fighting, keep resisting, and keep doing what you do best — everything you set your hands to”, — Steve Andre emphasized at the end of the conversation.
The unique exhibition of shoulder sleeve insignia from American volunteer and fighter Steve Andre can be viewed at the National Military History Museum of Ukraine.
