Liliia Karas serves as a gunner on a MaxxPro armored vehicle.

A video featuring the servicewoman’s story was published on the page of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

Liliia operates a heavy Browning machine gun mounted on the turret of a MaxxPro armored vehicle. Upon receiving a signal, the crew moves to a position where they carry out combat missions.

“Our vehicle has a turret where the Browning is mounted, and when the order comes, we move out to engage targets”, — the servicewoman says.

Her decision to join the military was not spontaneous. War came to her family back in 2014. That year, Liliia’s nephew was killed, and two years later, her brother also lost his life.

Since then, she had been waiting for the moment when she herself could join the ranks.

“I waited until my child was at least 16 years old so that I could come here. To defend my homeland, to defend my loved ones”, — says Liliia.

During training, she was offered various service options, but she insisted on a combat position.

“I said that I’m only a gunner. I’m only a gunner — and that’s it”, — she recalls.

In the brigade, she received training and was assigned as a Browning gunner. Liliia says that when she arrived at the unit, her sister-in-arms Nastia was placed behind the wheel of the MaxxPro, while she was immediately assigned to the machine gun position.

“They immediately told me: ‘You’re on the Browning’. I replied: ‘Perfect’”, — the servicewoman says with a smile.

Today, the MaxxPro and the Browning have become familiar parts of her frontline routine.

The 23rd Brigade notes that Liliia’s story is an example of strength of character, resilience, and personal motivation — the qualities that drive Ukrainians to stand up in defense of their country.