The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
The soldier “Vedeha” is an infantryman. He chose the warrior’s path in his youth, received a military education, and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He has
His story was shared on the page of the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“My first combat experience was as part of a reconnaissance platoon near Troitske in Luhansk Oblast. We were told an enemy sabotage-reconnaissance group had approached one of our positions. We went out searching for the enemy, walked ten kilometers. The enemy tried to drive us out with a mortar and snipers, but we successfully hid in a low spot. We detected the saboteurs — and returned without losses”, — the soldier recalls.
They worked in small groups, doing everything possible to hinder the enemy.
“It was interesting work. We constantly moved toward the enemy. Conducted reconnaissance and mining. Carried out sabotage missions. Placed Ukrainian flags to hit the enemy morally — to show that we were nearby even if they couldn’t see us”, — says Vedeha.
The experienced scout was sent for training at a military academy. Then came the first day of the full-scale invasion.
“We woke up in the barracks on the training ground, hearing: it’s begun. As someone with combat experience, I was ready to be sent to fight at any moment. And they indeed sent us to defend Lviv airport — it was likely the enemy would try to land forces there”, — he says.
Later, he returned to his studies, finished early, and went to defend Kyiv.
“I ended up in a mobile anti-tank group. As a commander, I was told: go pick your soldiers. I chose thirty. They gave us quad bikes and told us: here is the defense sector — all directions where the enemy might try to break through with tanks must be controlled. And in case of an enemy offensive — we were to destroy the tanks”, — the soldier recounts.
Later, he took command of a company and moved to Maiorske in Donetsk Oblast.
“I’m glad I have the combat experience of a soldier. My soldiers understood I knew what I was doing — and followed me. We held that area for four months — and left without a single casualty”, — says Vedeha.
He commanded battles, personally evacuated the wounded. He suffered multiple injuries and blast traumas. He could have transferred to a rear unit but chose to continue serving in the combat-ready 33rd Brigade.
“Arms and legs are intact — that means I can fight. I went on to be more useful to Ukraine and our Victory. Now I oversee combat training of soldiers before they head to positions”, — he explains.
The most important trait of a commander, he says, is self-confidence.
“If a commander is not confident in his actions, his people will see it — and won’t be confident in what they themselves must do. If a commander has no combat experience, he won’t lead well. Until you go through it yourself, you understand nothing. All decisions must be made with a cool head — consider all risks and do nothing impulsively”, — he says.
Convincing soldiers of their own strength is another key duty.
“Almost everyone is afraid at first: how can you just go to fight. The first time is scary. So I tell them my own example. I say: guys, when I went, I was scared too, it was just as hard for me. I tell them what I went through, how I acted. I show by my own life — how and in what situations we operated. Then people begin to work properly”, — the soldier emphasizes.
That is how — confidently and with a cold mind — Victory will be won.
“Victory for me will come when my children grow up in safety, and I know no missiles or Shaheds are flying at them — and no Russian will come to kill them. When we drive out the enemy and he capitulates — realizing that we are unbeatable”, — the soldier concluded.
