David

Oleh "David" joined the military back in 2015 for his mandatory service. That army quickly became his conscious choice: he soon signed a contract and in 2017 found himself in the east, near Avdiivka, as part of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. At that time, heavy fighting was ongoing there against the "Somalia" battalion, which was commanded by the infamous Givi. A fighter with the call sign tells how he received his first lesson in war in the ATO zone. He still remembers that combat operation in detail. Together with their commander, Vasyl Tarasyuk (now a Hero of Ukraine), they stopped an enemy tank near Yasynuvata – on the road to Donetsk Airport. David was a grenadier. By the time his shot stopped the enemy vehicle, the tank had managed to turn its gun and fire. The explosion threw him back, and he suffered a severe concussion. The commander sustained a severe head injury. But they were saved – their comrades pulled them out. After his contract ended, David tried to live a normal life. He went abroad and worked at the Samsung factory in Hungary. On February 22, 2022, the Korean leadership told employees, "You will have a war, our diplomats are leaving." And two days later, Russia attacked. Oleg couldn't stay out of it. By February 28th, he was on his way home, and on March 7th, he was back in the army. He served in the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign – initially in the Kherson region, and later in the Donetsk region. Fighting in the Kherson region continued almost non-stop, and one day their position was hit by "Grads." David sustained a head injury from shrapnel, an arm injury, and another concussion. But after treatment, he returned to the front. In January 2025, he joined the ranks of the National Guard. He initially served in a unit in Kirovohrad, and later in the 3rd Brigade of Operational Purpose of the National Guard of Ukraine "Spartan". He is a senior soldier, a machine gunner in the special forces reconnaissance company. Regarding his service in the National Guard, he says he likes being in this formation because there is cohesion, good organization, air cover, and constant communication with commanders. This is motivating, even when it's very difficult. After one of the enemy attacks, while in position, the National Guard soldier was able to organize the scattered forces, gather the guys, and create an infantry group. Together with his comrades, he pulled soldiers from under the rubble – back then, it was difficult even to understand where to look for survivors. In one of the recent attacks, a drone hit a cellar where the fighters were hiding. Under the crosshairs of enemy FPV drones, we searched for and dug out the guys. Two people were rescued. "Two people suffocated," says David, and admits, "Losing people in war is the hardest thing. It's not going anywhere. You're keeping it to yourself. You convince yourself that they are now our guardian angels. On May 8, 2025, the National Guard soldier turned 31 years old. He celebrated right on the position – together with his fellow sniper, whose birthday is on the 9th. At home, the brave defender is awaited by his mother, brother, and girlfriend. For them, it's sincere short voice messages and life-saving pluses in messages. Before the war, the fighter worked in the repair field. Now he admits: he's already forgotten what it's like not to be at war. I want to rest, but when I do, I'm drawn back to my own people. Defending Ukraine is my male duty. Wherever you run, you can't escape yourself. "And you won't find another home," the National Guard soldier says confidently.