The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Commander of a canine unit, Oleksandr, has been a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2013. For him, service is not merely a uniform or a position, but a conscious choice and a responsibility to the state and the people he protects.
Oleksandr shared his story on the page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
His combat record includes nine destroyed enemy Shahed-type kamikaze drones. Behind each such target are saved lives, homes, and infrastructure. This is the result of cold composure, experience, and split-second decisions on which far too much depends.
Oleksandr remembers his first downed drone in every detail. Night. Tension. The distinctive engine hum that cannot be confused. The Shahed was heading in to strike.
A special place in his heart is occupied by his four-legged brother-in-arms — a dog named Colorado. Everyone in the unit knows him: smart, loyal, always nearby. Colorado is not just a favorite — he is part of the team, a symbol of home and calm amid war.
While Oleksandr was serving as part of a mobile fire group in the North Slobozhansky direction, Colorado remained with the unit and missed him greatly. His comrades joked that the dog was waiting for his commander more eagerly than for an order to carry out a combat mission. Oleksandr’s return became a true celebration for Colorado — without war or distance, only joy and boundless loyalty.
“It is moments like these that give strength to hold on. When you know that someone is waiting for you”, — Oleksandr says.
He addressed his message to all Ukrainians:
“I want every Ukrainian to remember: our strength is in unity. Believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, support one another, and do not lose hope. We are fighting not just for territory — we are fighting for the future of our children, for the right to live in a free country. And we will definitely win”.
