The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Ihor is a driver of a surface-to-air missile system from an air defense missile brigade in Odesa. He is 26 years old, but military experience is something he do
His story was published on the page of the 160th Air Defense Missile Odesa Brigade.
Ihor joined the brigade in 2019: first he completed compulsory military service, then signed a contract. At the training center, he obtained a “C” driver’s license category and acquired the necessary skills to perform combat missions. From the very beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, he has defended Ukraine’s skies.
“Shortly before the full-scale aggression, our unit was performing combat missions in Donetsk region. It was hard to believe war was possible, but we were ready for anything. In the very first days of the invasion, the enemy tried to destroy our positions, and more than once we had to evacuate our equipment from under fire”, — the soldier recalls.
As he notes, the main task of the unit was to destroy enemy aerial targets.
“When we managed to shoot down another target — a plane, missile, or helicopter — we felt incredible joy, because we understood we were protecting our people and our land”, — Ihor said.
Later, Ihor’s unit carried out combat missions in other directions, including his native Odesa region. During this time, the soldier became a qualified specialist: he underwent training abroad, improved his qualifications, and mastered modern Western equipment.
His duties include maintaining the vehicle in good condition, ensuring timely departure to positions, and transporting weapons.
“A vehicle is part of the combat service, and it requires the right attitude. I’ve always enjoyed working with machinery. They taught us the basics of the profession, but the main experience is gained in practice. In combat conditions you learn to act quickly: field repairs or urgent evacuation — you must be ready for everything”, — Ihor explains.
His family worried greatly about him, especially at the beginning of the full-scale war, when he couldn’t contact them for weeks. But they have always supported him.
“It is sometimes difficult both physically and mentally, but I am used to the strain and hardships. What keeps me going is my family. They know I am defending our land, that together with my comrades I am holding back enemy attacks for the sake of a peaceful life for our people”, — he says.
