The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Medical instructor of the 44th Artillery Brigade named after Hetman Danylo Apostol, Nadiia, chose military service without hesitation.
Her story was published on January 28 on the brigade’s page.
“I decided that I wanted to go there. I said I was going — and that’s it! But my sister and I always go everywhere together! So we went together. We asked everything we needed, passed the medical commission, and joined the service”, — Nadiia shares.
The decision was quick and resolute. Nadiia left her civilian job almost immediately — informing colleagues she had only one day left. A few days later, instead of light slippers and a white coat, she put on combat boots and military uniform.
Her family reacted calmly.
“My husband first laughed, but immediately supported me. He was just surprised at first that I wanted to join the military. But he had already served at that time, so he knew what service was like”, — she says.
Now Nadiia serves as a medical instructor. Her main tasks are providing first aid and monitoring the condition of the soldiers. Despite her motivation, transitioning from civilian to military medicine was a serious challenge at first — but the team helped her adapt.
According to her, the atmosphere in the unit has long become almost like family: comrades always support, advise, and help. They also have internal jokes that keep spirits high.
“I have this habit — when something doesn’t work out, I say: ‘I’m dissatisfied’. If something goes wrong, if I can’t go somewhere or do something — ‘I’m dissatisfied!’ I taught many people to say this. At first the guys just listened, but now they say ‘I’m dissatisfied’ too”, — she laughs.
A special pride of the unit is Sonka the cat — their mascot. In autumn, when mice appeared in the unit, the cat became a necessity and soon a full member of the team.
“I heard that the guys had a cat with kittens and I liked one of them. Later I found out someone planned to take her — MY Sonka! I hadn’t even named her yet, I just came and took her. She was so tiny, fit in my palm. I brought her, and she just slept all the time! Ate a bit — and slept again. So she became my Sonka”, — Nadiia says.
Sonka is now a year and a half old — an adult cat with a fighting character. She catches mice, bites legs, scratches, and because of a once-broken tail her owner jokingly calls her “offensive weapon”.
“She’s a combat cat, she’ll advance! And here she catches mice. The guys said that when I wasn’t around in the summer, she brought snakes into the house. That’s my little hostess!” — Nadiia says.
“She’s my favorite! Everyone at home knows that I have Sonka and that she must return home with me. So they always ask: ‘How’s Sonka? Where is she? What is she doing?’” — Nadiia smiles.
As for the future after victory, Nadiia is cautious. She cannot say for sure whether she’ll remain in the military, but she is confident about one thing — victory will be soon.
“I wish everyone to always believe in Victory and in the best. Everything will be fine. Very soon — I’m sure of it”, — she says.
