A National Guardsman's Ordeal: 50 Days Under Assault and a Breakout from Encirclement

Oleksandr Kushnirov's Service During the Full-Scale Invasion

According to Главком: Oleksandr Kushnirov, a serviceman with the 1st Kodatskyi Regiment of Ukraine's National Guard, has recounted the most harrowing chapters of his duty since Russia's full-scale invasion began. His experiences include enduring relentless assaults for nearly 50 days on one position and a perilous escape from encirclement on the Pokrovsk front. Kushnirov joined the National Guard in 2021 for mandatory service at the age of 18. His initial deployment was in the Kharkiv region, where he participated in its defense, before later being sent to Donetsk Oblast. The Pokrovsk direction has been a focal point of intense Russian offensive operations, aiming to push westward.

During his service, Kushnirov fought in battles across Kharkiv Oblast, Bakhmut, and the Pokrovsk sector. He recalls a critical moment on the Pokrovsk front when his unit detected an enemy drone, which triggered systematic artillery strikes on their positions. Enemy infantry assaults followed, sometimes occurring several times an hour, with Russian forces coming within mere meters. Oleksandr describes the feeling:

'How to put it? It was terrifying. Honestly, I thought I wouldn't live to see 20. Like most of my platoon-they're gone now.' Oleksandr Kushnirov

He also remembers the tense quiet moments spent holding the line with his brothers-in-arms. 'The radio goes silent, your comrade is asleep, and there's just silence. There were times I would deliberately go check on my guys just to hear a voice… because when everything goes quiet, you realize they might be getting surrounded right then, and an attack is being prepared,' Kushnirov shares. This highlights the immense psychological strain and constant risks the soldiers faced.

As they eventually withdrew from their positions, they discovered they were surrounded, having already held that ground for close to 50 days. Oleksandr Kushnirov emphasized the extreme danger: 'You sit there and you hear the enemy talking. They walk right past you, making plans. And you understand that if you make a single sound, they'll find where we're hiding-and that's it, we'll never get out.' His words starkly illustrate the dire circumstances Ukrainian soldiers confront on the front lines.

The Experiences of Other Servicemen

Kushnirov's story is one of many testaments to extraordinary endurance. Other Ukrainian soldiers have faced similarly grueling trials, such as:

• Soldier Dmytro Yashchenko of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, who fought for nearly 90 days near Pokrovsk, part of that time completely alone on his position without communication, water, or food;
• Serviceman Serhii Tyshchenko of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade, who spent 471 consecutive days on a single combat position in Donetsk Oblast;
• Oleksandr Khomenko, head of the Museum of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1920 and a serviceman, who remained on the front lines without rotation for 76 days from the invasion's start.

Oleksandr Kushnirov concludes his account with raw emotion: 'There were tears, there was joy, just the fact you survived… The first thing I did was hug the driver. Because it's thanks to him that we're here talking now.' His story underscores not only the brutality of war but also the profound human emotions that accompany soldiers in their struggle.

Kushnirov's testimony reflects the grim realities of the modern war in Ukraine, where servicemen face daily peril and severe psychological pressure. It reveals both the physical trials and the deep emotional toll on those defending their country. These personal accounts are crucial for understanding the human cost of the conflict and the ongoing need for support for Ukraine's military. They serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers in the fight for their nation's independence and security.

In a similar vein, another soldier has shared his gripping account of enduring a solitary 90-day standoff in Pokrovsk, completely cut off from any support. His story reflects the immense challenges faced by troops in this critical region, shedding light on the psychological and physical toll of prolonged isolation during the conflict. To learn more about his harrowing experience, read about his isolated struggle in Pokrovsk.