The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Today, the soldier with the call sign “Shakhtar” is the chief sergeant of a platoon and gun commander in the 68th Separate Artillery Brigade.
His story was shared on the page of the 68th Separate Artillery Brigade.
Thirteen years in the mine taught Andriy endurance that cannot be gained through any training.
His path to the army began in February 2022 with persistent visits to the Territorial Recruitment Center: at first, they did not take him, but he kept coming back until he achieved his goal.
From an ordinary crew member to a gun commander — he made this journey thanks to his ability to learn quickly and take responsibility for others.
For Andriy, the role of sergeant means daily leadership. He believes that artillery relies on the ability to lend a hand in time and be a role model for subordinates. Even when things get truly hot, the sergeant must remain the backbone of the entire crew.
“A sergeant must be proper, strict, and trained to understand the situation and always be the example subordinates look up to”, — Shakhtar explains calmly.
During his service, he has worked with both old Soviet artillery systems and modern Polish-supplied “Krab” howitzers.
He says the equipment has become smarter, but the war has changed beyond recognition. Now the main danger does not come from enemy artillery but from the sky, filled with kamikaze drones.
Even under these conditions, Shakhtar’s crew demonstrates excellent combat skills: Andriy recalls how once they hit an occupiers’ dugout with a direct hit on the very first shot.
“Now it’s mostly a drone war: FPV, Lancets, Molniyas — these are the greatest threats you feel during each deployment”, — the sergeant shares.
He openly admits: sometimes it is frightening. But the fear is outweighed by a clear motivation — to protect his home and family.
Andriy does not dream of a military career — after the fighting ends, he simply wants to return to his usual work in the mine, where he is already expected.
For him, the war is not a calling but a duty he fulfills honestly and professionally.
“You must protect your loved ones so that the war does not come to your home — that is the only and main reason why I am here”, — Andriy concludes.
He remains a man of action who, instead of loud slogans, chooses precision in every shot and the safety of his comrades.
