Gera

25-year-old warrior on the call sign Gera - the commander of the branch of anti-aircraft unmanned aircraft systems in the anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion of the brigade "Spartan".

His military path began even before the full-scale invasion - in 2021 he went to serve in the National Guard of Ukraine. And during the full-scale war signed a contract.

Hera served as an anti-aircraft gunner of a portable anti-aircraft missile system.

At first he defended Kharkov, then Bakhmut, then fought on the Kharkov and Zaporozhye directions. Most of all the warriors were remembered the hell's street fights for Bakhmut. It was extremely difficult. But the hardest thing in the war is to lose brothers. "Not everyone can stand it," says Hera.  

In 2024, the national guard decided to change the direction of service - became interested in unmanned systems. He received training, and during combat work he gained experience and mastered a new business. Now the younger Sergeant Hera - the commander of the crew, "hunting" on enemy drones. 

"Our crew of FPV interceptor drones "FALCON" for the first time shot down the enemy UAV "Orlan-10" at the end of December 2024 in the Zaporozhye direction. A sort of New Year's "gift" for the occupiers, — recalls the warrior. — Russian drone conducted reconnaissance of our artillery positions and places of concentration of troops. Its value is about 100 thousand dollars".

Of course, this was the result of long months of training, work on bugs, exchange of experience with colleagues and coordinated interaction of the entire battery.

"In January 2025, the occupier received again  from us "gift" - this time were destroyed two enemy reconnaissance drones Supercam S350, each worth more than 200 thousand dollars," - says about the combat work of the commander of the branch of anti-aircraft UAV. 

In February 2025, his brigade moved to the Pokrovsky direction. The conditions here are different, so UAV pilots had to adapt. There were technical difficulties, but they quickly overcome them and continued to perform combat missions.

"So the work is interesting and not easy, but it's definitely my element!" - admits Gera.

The family adds strength to fight further: his wife and daughter, who is only three months old. They, like parents, are the support of the warrior, those wings that hold the height.

The guard comes from one of the cities, which is now occupied. There he was born and raised, where his past remained - his whole life. That's why Hera is sure that his home must be returned.

In war, he grew up and forced. "Went to the army child - became a man," - smiling says guardsman. Learned to keep emotions under control. The battle path in the realities of the war has hardened the soul and body. Being a warrior's commander is not difficult, he knows how to gain trust and is sure: "You need to be simpler - and you will understand."

However, Hera had moments when his hands were down. But he lifts them up, because he knows: "Only with your own hands you can return the house and drive the enemy out of our land."