He decided to defend the Motherland voluntarily. He joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2023. After completing training at specialised training grounds as an anti-aircraft sniper, “Smiley” took part in combat missions in Mykolaiv region. In addition to the main military speciality, he mastered the “rescue fighter” medical speciality in parallel in order to be able to help his brothers on the battlefield. He participated in the battles in the Bakhmut direction, where he received a mine-blast trauma. After treatment and rehabilitation he returned to the front line.

In September last year, while performing a combat mission, he was again injured and ended up in the hospital. After rehabilitation, he continues his journey as a warrior in the Kharkov direction of the front line.

"Why do we call each other “brothers”? Because there, at the front, we are all support, help and family for each other 24/7. There is no other way! I remember how during one of my shifts we repelled an enemy attack. Everybody survived and was inspired by the result, waiting at the combat position for the arrival of those who should have replaced us. And at the moment of this rise, an explosion occurred – an enemy mine blew up the vehicle of our brothers. Unfortunately, 14 soldiers were wounded then. But despite such difficult trials, we, together with our brothers, continue doing everything possible to bring our Victory closer. I am grateful for the help of the enterprise and Metinvest along this path. I am sure that if we all work together – military and civilian – to achieve our common goal, there will be a result!

During his service, the serviceman-worker of Zaporizhzhneupor received awards for courage over and over again. But it was a pleasant surprise for the serviceman to receive a prestigious award from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – the honorary “Golden Cross” badge.