Before the full-scale invasion, he worked at Azovstal and ship-repair plants as a welder and high-rise worker, and in 2020 he signed a contract and joined the 503rd Marine Battalion.

He told his story on the battalion’s channel.

“Some people thought it was for the money. But in civilian life I earned three times more. I just knew: the war would reach everyone”, — “Alyeks” explains.

In March 2022, the battalion was surrounded near Zachativka. Against 600–800 Ukrainian marines, the enemy deployed significantly superior forces. That was when the commander of the 503rd Battalion, Major Pavlo Sbytov, was killed.

“He gave the order to withdraw. That saved the battalion. If not — I wouldn’t be alive”, — the marine recalls.

“Alyeks” admits that the example of his first commanders still keeps him motivated.

“A commander must be with his men on the positions. Young officers must be taught this”, — he says.

Then came missions near Shakhtarsk. Alyeks became platoon sergeant major and mortar commander. He performed tasks in the Pokrovsk direction, in Myrnohrad, and in Kozatske.