Student
National Guard on call sign Student — external pilot (operator) of unmanned aerial vehicles of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion of the brigade "Spartan".
He came to the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine consciously. In 2023, I learned about the recruitment to the "Guard of the offensive" and decided to join, because the desire to defend the country arose at the beginning of a full-scale war. Then he was a student of one of the Kharkiv universities.
At the same time in "Spartan" already served his friend, who offered to join the brigade. So the boy took the academic leave and stood up. From his fellow students received a call sign Student.
At first, the Guard was trained to shoot a portable anti-aircraft missile system and had been performing combat missions in the Zaporizhzhia direction for more than a year.
Subsequently, there was a new opportunity - to become a pilot UAV.
"The team told that there is a set and needed young people who know how and wants to work with new technologies. I was curious - I realized that you can study and grow here," he recalls.
The show began in July 2024. But the theory for the pilot UAV - only the first step, real skill comes with practice.
"War does not stand still. Every day there is something new, and you have to create on the go, in front conditions," says Student.
It runs FPV drones that hit air targets. In March 2025, the Student managed to shoot down a maneuverable Russian drone ZALA Z-16 - extremely light and mobile. The goal is difficult: to hit it is not easy, because the drone "sees" in the air and quickly changes direction.
Today, the unit where the Student serves, is trained to manage aircraft type drones. This is necessary, because Russian UAVs fly higher and FPV drone, although surprisingly maneuverable, has limited time in the sky. Instead, the aircraft UAV lasts longer in the air, can rise higher and faster overtakes the target.
"My work is interesting. I sit 30 km from the target - and I know that I can hit it," says Guardsman.
However, war — is not just technology. This and loss, pain, test.
"I especially remember how we somehow got to the positions under heavy mortar fire. Everyone's got it. But it was too much," recalls a 23-year-old warrior.
He is still a man of dreams.
"In my heart I am a civilian. But now we must fight in order to protect our own. After the victory - I will create my family, I will have children."
In the meantime, the soul is warmed by the idea of home in the Kharkiv region, the support of parents and beloved girl. They are his support and the answer to the question, for which he risks his life every day.