Last summer was, without exaggeration, the most dramatic in the history of Ukrainian VDV. Died tragically Dnepropetrovsk paratroopers in the downed plane, suffered losses here and there legendary Zhytomyr 95-ka, Nicholas brigade was in the boiler on the border with Russia. The whole year after that, they are like made of metal, were recovered and sent on the most difficult tasks in all directions, half-jokingly, half-seriously pertinacia so your brand with the slogan “Nobody but us” by “...you again are we?!”

This summer, all of the airborne brigade are still at the forefront, but given the decrease in the intensity of fighting in comparison with last year, with some well-deserved accolades will visit the President himself, others will play football special forces.

Цензор.НЕТ met with the trooper, which is to go East, " is known for the events of last summer on the border with the Russian Federation Lieutenant Colonel Semyon Kolayca.
A month and a half under fire jet systems of volley fire "Grad", впервые применила против украинцев российская армия, he kept on the border height, later named in his honor - Callsign -"Bravo".
The effects obtained there from contusions threatened sakabato 79-Oh the Nikolaev team comisioane, but the 32-year-old officer from 15 to 32 years of his life were spent in the army and to part with her, even after that experience, I wasn't. Now Kalanik-Bravo studies at the National defense University, restores health plans and still serve the state. Even if not at the forefront in the role of a military officer.

The most famous photo of Sam Bravo from the event last summer on the border with Russia
I really do not like when, remembering, all the time talking about me. I was not alone. Just at that time was the head of it all for the posts samambaia (the commander of the battalion with wound was in Nikolaev). Every soldier, every Sergeant, every officer, regardless of whether he's the cook, the company commander or the commander of the gun - did their indispensable work. It's a shame that they all don't know. Be sure to write that each of them is good for you.
For all of us that work in sector D was the first real combat experience. Before that, we were a little on the Transnistrian border, and then fought under Amvrosievka, Kuragino, Marinka, Volnovakha. At the height near Izvarino to learn we had on the go, sometimes directly in combat. Time and opportunity for combat training was gone.
The shelling from the Russian side was not a surprise to us. We стояли в 800 метрах от границы from the border and saw the digging of the Russian division, moving armored columns, fly drones. We knew that sooner or later something will lead. Mentally psyched up and prepared shelters. But still, of course, until recently, hoping that they don't come here to burn...
My brother was a citizen of Russia, but the dill. I even recently sent him a jacket with this logo. He resembled in her Siberia and wrote: "it's a Shame, but for them it's just a plant!"
At first he didn't believe I could shoot a Russian soldier and Vice versa. I explained that I irrelevant the nationality of the soldier with weapons came to destroy the integrity of my nation. When I was under "Grad" from the Russian Federation - all the questions and doubts about it he disappeared.
A year later, I continue to believe that the goal is to block the border - was correct. And we did it. No column was not neither us, nor to us. Therefore, the idea of command, expertise which today give all and Sundry, was true. To put it completely prevented only by the intervention of the Russian side. It also led to the boiler, привело к котлу, as the result proved.

It is fair to say that VDV really fought on all fronts of the war. Including the most complex. It's true. But we have always worked in collaboration with someone. With the infantry, special forces, border guards, with the National guard. Honor them all for that and praise. We never hesitated to ask for help from someone and no one was embarrassed to ask it from us.
Indeed there were moments during the ATO, when Marines used not to destination, and more - as well-trained infantry. For example, put on the defensive, although it is not our task. But, I think that we have had and have no right to say "this I will do, but it's not because you don't want". Is not the situation.
I really like volunteer troopers in defense, because even if you collect the most creative team in the APU - it's still going to be people from the system. Therefore, the volunteers are great people. Yes, not all of them smoothly, not everything, but as long as nobody complains and nobody gave up, sent all to hell. Although I'm sure that such a desire was. If they succeed - from the whole army, the whole country will benefit.
Modern Ukrainian army I see consists of well-motivated soldiers who have normal security benefits, state support and respect of the society; which it is not necessary to drive into the armed forces, and they will come.
This army, of course, must be new means of communication, navigation, and technology.
Absolutely not everyone needs to be on the front line. Then who will provide support and planning? But all who do not want to fight, and in the rear is useless - it's the extra people, a burden. And I am in favour of strong-willed decision to say goodbye to them.
We need to sit down and calmly, carefully to understand all of our joints and faults during the war. Take into account all the experience gained in the Donbass. As, incidentally, the Russians did after the first and second Chechen campaigns. They changed the field manual and have taken into account all the experience gained in the Caucasus. But I think it can be done only after the war, and not parallel to it.
Sure, not immediately, but we will succeed, because the glass is half full. Really, people are a little tired and the guys at the front too. Because not robots. But this is not fatal and not fatal. The fighting mood at all, so everything will be fine.
It is often said that it is in moments of truce the military mood is not very. Lost motivation, there is a time for doubt, etc. So I will say that in the moments of his absence, that is, during active hostilities the feeling among many is even worse. When everything's lit, the mood is not very. So a truce that's not the worst.
I don't believe in all these post-traumatic syndromes. If a person finds comfort in the glass and in self-pity, it is not a syndrome, but a personal choice. Running through the streets with a gun is the same. And it is not necessary to justify this. Yes, I have a little gray hair appeared, and the health impact implications of those days - deaf, for example, vision is not very good, and to forget all that has gone wrong, but in General, everything is fine.
I should have died back then - a year ago, but I am alive. So from the moment I take it as a bonus as a gift. Based on this, I live. The feeling is not passed even after a year. So I don't like all this whining - "all about me forgot", etc. This position seems to me some high demands for people. And exaggerated pity.

Anastasia Bereza, Censor.NET

Source: http://censor.net.ua/